Jackson councilman and a neighborhood call out city for unkept neighborhood
A Jackson city councilman and his neighbors are tired of rundown houses in the neighborhood.
Collapsing foundations, burned-down homes and overgrown lawns are creating a dangerous life for residents on Carnation Street.
Neighbor Walter James feels helpless after he reached out to the city for help countless times.
"I have called downtown many times about this, but it just seems like I cannot get no help," James said.
One home burned down recently and more are still standing from years ago after catching flames.
This created a hazard for residents and especially children. Others are falling down completely from lack of upkeep. This raised the question of who owns these homes.
Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes held a press conference on Carnation street Sunday after neighbors called him to look at the properties.
"They have to live like people in a third world country have to live. It's a shame. It's a shame that the city of Jackson would treat poor people like they are dirt," said Stokes.
Overgrown lots can be seen next to upkept homes where people live every day. Trance Burnes and some of this family have lived in this neighborhood for over 30 years.
"Oh man. Great peace, growth development, and try to give us our value back. Because, you know, we are losing value the more that we allow this to happen, the more our houses become less unvalued, and we don't need that around here," Burnes said.
Councilman Stokes compared the neighborhood to a third-world country. One resident even said that it is not safe for children to play outside because of the snakes, rats and other animals she claimed come from these conditions.