Glo Smth
BlakPac.gop Blogger
The Florida Health Department has identified Jacksonville's most
deadly zip codes in the Duval County Report Card. Many of these zip
codes were in District 5. This report hits close to home for me because I
was born and raised in the heart of the Fifth District. The report card
confirms why I continue to fight for the people living in the district.
I am not a candidate at this time, but this is one of the reasons why I
ran for the U.S. Congress. It is why I spend time every day talking
about the issues and collaborating with citizens to identify and
implement practical solutions.
Our current
Representative is out of touch with the constituents, and her lack of
action may have contributed to some of the tenant's health conditions.
For as long as I can remember, the tenants living in Eureka Gardens and
other government housing have been complaining about deplorable living
conditions with gas leaks, mold, and mildew in and outside of their
apartments. I understand that tenants have a responsibility as to how
they live in their homes. However, let us focus on the things that are
out of their control and what happens when government officials
disconnected from their constituents.
First, let us
examine how code inspectors failed to address the issues. Over the
years, tenants living in Eureka Gardens made complaints to the housing
authorities, elected officials and to Eureka Garden's management.
However, their complaints went unanswered. Elected officials and City
Code Inspectors failed to identify and resolve tenants problems.
Our
Congresswoman showed up only when the cameras were rolling. In an
October press release regarding Eureka Gardens, Congresswoman Brown
said, "we are all working diligently together to dramatically improve
the environmental, safety and sanitary conditions at Eureka Gardens."
The problem is not a new issue. Constituents have been complaining about
and living with the conditions for years. Nonetheless, Brown
overlooked the complaints and neglected her duty to serve the people.
Additionally, in a letter to Senator Bill Nelson, Jacksonville's Mayor
Lenny Curry deplored the conditions in the community, saying the
apartments Eureka Gardens residents live in may "pose a threat to their
safety." Curry outlined the poor living conditions there, including
electrical, plumbing, environmental, and structural problems.
Now
that we know about Eureka Gardens, what are officials doing about it?
Are they asking for random assessments to be completed on public
housing? Or, are they waiting for another problem to occur before taking
action? Will there be any consequences for those involved?
Congresswoman Brown called for the firing of Eureka Garden management
personnel, but what about others?
This is personal for me
because my husband and I raised our children and live in this district.
Our family, and friends live and work in the district as well. The
people living in
the district deserve, and should demand more!
What is happening in Eureka Gardens and other government housing
throughout the district is appalling. When will we demand more from our
representatives as it relates our wellbeing and living conditions? When
will we demand accountability?
Although, the report card
identifies several areas of concern, this issue goes beyond health and
death. Part of the problem lies in big government. The notion that
big government knows best, and has our best interest at heart directly
contradicts with the statistics spelled out in the report card. A
government that allows people to remain in poverty and despair is a
government that is out of touch with reality.
Here is
what you need to know and why. You need to know the issues identified
in the report card are not unique to Florida's Fifth District. It is a
snapshot of what is occurring all over this country, especially in and
around Urban Core communities. This is a local, state and most of all a
national problem. Taxpayer’s dollars are used to pay for Section 8
housing, medical care, and other government programs. Bureaucrats allow
these situations to occur, so taxpayers continue to pay more to fix the
problems while property owner’s promises to the tenants are broken.
Here
are some of the problems that must be addressed. Most of us know what
happens when the heart of a community stops beating. It dies. We know
what happens when people are given subsidies instead of a helping hand
up. They are stuck in the situation and can't move forward. When
generations of families are dependent on government assistance that
impacts the growth of wealth, Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness. These problems can be solved.
We must empower
people so they can have hope and achieve their dreams, most importantly,
we must allow them the opportunity to obtain personal and professional
prosperity. Only then, will some of the problems identified in the Duval
County Report Card be reduced, so people can live healthier, happier
and longer lives. Additionally, this is an issue that is best managed at
the local and state level with assistance from private citizens, civic
groups, and faith based organizations.
www.blakpac.gop
No comments:
Post a Comment