Discussions

I'm sure I'm not the only person out there that is tired of neighbours and landlords that don't care about their properties. It's time for City Council and Bylaw not to be complaint driven. They need to be more active with issues around town when it comes to the neglect. I'm tired of "small" property developers that purchase up property on "spec" and that don't give a rat's #@* about it until it suits them. If you can't keep care of it, you shouldn't own it. Each councillor should have a list of offenders that they keep of property owners that need to be held accountable. Take care of lawns that are a foot high, trees that are over grown and tenants that need to get their act together. Bit of a rant but our council of late aren't very active where they need to be. Don't let these issues be complaint driven, take care of your properties and City Hall please do something about those property that don't give a cr*p. City council needs to pull their weight.

I am fed up with neighbors that are too lazy to mow their lawns. It makes the whole street look unkept. The person who lives beside me hasn't mowed his lawn yet this season. If you don't want to do any yard work don't live in a house!

I don't understand why someone would purchase property and not realize they need to maintain it. A minimal amount of maintenance is all I ask.  
 
City Hall, police, bylaw, ACO and councillors need to learn to be proactive instead of the reactive. As long as they don't have to look at a yard disaster, they just don't care. Not their problem.  
 
I've been ready for a shake up on 9th Street since 2015 as I'm disappointed in the lack of city services and their implementation of bylaws. Why have bylaws if they're not enforced?! When I've complained, nothing was done. When I've complained again, nothing was done. Rinse & repeat. Why should residents need to fight city hall for them to look into complaints, etc? I've been told they believe whole-heartedly in the complaint system. Just who is it working for exactly??  
 
I'm hoping the new city manager can turn this messy city around. Everything trickles down from the top. $70,000 to hire a new manager (& police chief) so we I'll assume we're getting an A1 CAO.  
 
All I can offer is KEEP COMPLAINING. I KNOW how frustrating it is! Owners have 30 to clean up their act before the city goes in and cleans up for them and tacks the cost to their taxes.

I am horrified with the way neighbors keep their properties. Unkempt lawns. Dog poop piled high that it stinks so bad it is hard to leave the windows open. Where is the pride of ownership?

accountable too not just with the unkempt yards but with the hoards of intoxicated people that show up like clock work and disrupt the neighbourhood.

until the city takes care of the caterpillars. Sorry but they are disgusting and I refuse to have clumps of them falling on me when I am in the yard.  
Perhaps the city should have taken care of them and then people would be more apt to spend time outside working in their yards.  
 
I apologize to my neighbors in advance.

of homeowners have given up. The attitude is.....if the city is not going to take pride and mitigate nuissance plants and insects then why bother spending money to maintain their property? I have not reached that point yet. I use every chemical and commercial contractor spray service available to me to get rid of dandelions, worms and soon mosquitos! I budget $200 per year to do it. This year I have doubled that budget because of the current state of our city. We all need to take pride in our city. I too have not been able to mow my yard in a couple weeks and it looks horrible.  
 
Edited by Dan Forsythe, 2017-06-02 12:07:34

I hope someone is listening to the concerns that are voiced on this thread.  
I would appreciate that if our ward councillors brought these inquiries public at the council meetings that they would forward a list of offenders to bylaw every meeting. If enough people shared their opinion that the city is as much to blame as private property owners we could make the city a place its residents would be proud of.

Popcorn Twist said "until the city takes care of the caterpillars. Sorry but they are disgusting and I refuse to have clumps of them falling on me when I am in the yard.   Perhaps the city should have taken care of them and then people would be more apt to spend time outside working in their yards.     I apologize to my neighbors in advance. "

Ditto that!

What about the people who rip out their lawns and decide to plant wild flowers all over their yard instead of having grass? Those grow to 50cm or higher. But personaly, I'm getting real sick of this "look in the neighbor's yard and see what you can complain about" mentality that seems to be more prevalent today than ever. As for people doing minimal maintenance, a lot of people aren't rolling on their floor in piles of cash. They do what they can when they can afford it, especially seniors. Maybe the fence won't get painted this year because they had to put a new roof on their house last year. Maybe a new water heater or a furnace repair used up the money that could have been used to pay someone to spray their lawn for dandelions. It's easy to say that the city should hit them with one fine after another, then when they can't pay the fines, the city can seize their property and sell it. Yeah, let's force low income homeowners out of their homes and on to welfare. That benefits everybody. [sarcasm]  
 
If the fact that their grass is longer than yours bothers you that much, maybe you could offer to mow it for them one time and see if they take the hint.  
 
Myself, I don't want the city picking on property owners for every little thing and I like the idea of "complaint driven" instead of "proactive". There's way too much of that in every other aspect of our lives already these days. I want the city looking after the things that are solely the city's responsibility, like potholes, parks, etc.  
 
Edited by Triplethreat, 2017-06-02 14:13:46

Make that 3 of us. GROSS...I am willing to look after my property but if the worms are still on the city trees, what's the point. They are gros gross gross. Did I mention Gross!! I dont' even want to let my dogs out because I don't want them eating one or bringing them in on their coat. Don't want to sit outside because they are all over...can't walk on the street because the trees are covered. Thanks so much city of Brandon. I do believe my assessment said my taxes were going to be going up again...can I ask why??? I am kind of at the point of city could have done something...didn't...don't care...me either. When the worms are gone i will be back.

... usually one of the bad ones on our street. I am a single parent and a student who works a ft job. My son mows the lawn (sometimes me if he's nursing a football injury) when he isn't working his pt job or playing football or at school. There are more important things in life than making sure my lawn is "keeping up with the Jones". I let the dandelions grow, they are good for the bees. I don't like to use chemicals and we mow and weed each every 1-2 weeks. Why are we more concerned with how things look instead of the quality of the people and families in those homes? Memories and spending time with my kids and dogs are more important after a busy day than making my neighbours happy by cutting my lawn.

City can't even take care of their own stuff nevermind enforcing by-laws. The grass in the circle on the cul de sac I live on has only been cut once this year. It is now over six inches tall and full of dandelions that have gone to seed. I emailed the city on Wed. & Thurs. and it still has not been cut, WTF.

Popcorn Twist said "until the city takes care of the caterpillars. Sorry but they are disgusting and I refuse to have clumps of them falling on me when I am in the yard.   Perhaps the city should have taken care of them and then people would be more apt to spend time outside working in their yards.     I apologize to my neighbors in advance. "

makes complete sense except its only been a few days of the tent caterpillars and weeks of the not touching their yards for some.

As I age I have learned I have very little power over other people. I can only make personal choices. A lot is made out regarding the value of paying it forward. Do the same with civic pride.  
 
I try to model manners. I consciously try to say simple things like "Good Morning" "Please" and "Thank-you." If I see garbage I pick it up. When I go to the mall I take two to ten shopping carts back to their stations. Does more than ranting on ebrandon.  
 
My goal is to do the same with my yard. The continued high water makes part of my property look like a slough but the rest I can keep trimmed. I cannot change slobs but at the end of the day, I can walk with my head up because I have done my part. Some don't care and will cry because the mosquitoes are so bad and their property values are dropping.  
 
Smile and have a blessed day.

I'm currently working a full time and part time job and am on three volunteer committees. Right now my lawn isn't high priority. It gets cut one every week and a half to two weeks and I know we are the "unkempt" neighbours on the block. But I worry about the inside of my house being clean and getting those chores done versus the outside. I'm hoping in a few years I'll have more time to spend outdoors but in the meantime it's going to be the basics sorry!

if bylaw officers move from complaint driven to proactive approach that means bylaw officers will have free ran as to what they write up. could be any little thing. Then it turns in to a cash grab.  
 
keep a copy of your phone in/written complaints and after a few weeks of no action write the mayors office and city managers office for an explanation as to why your complaints go unheeded or unanswered. I find anything in writing gets more attention than a phone call.  
 
to those that wont cut the grass because of the tent caterpiller worms might fall on you, guess you can say the worms won that battle. what will it be next time.  
 
I hear a solution of vinegar and a bit of dish soap works pretty good on them.  
 
if your waiting for the city to come into your yard to deal with the worms your going to wait a long time. get out and do what you can.

I have been spraying what I can at ground level. But my trees are 20 - 40 feet high! How exactly do you suggest I spray that with my dish soap solution ?!  
 
As far as I am concerned it is now the waiting game till the creepy buggers have moved onto the cocoon stage in a couple of weeks.

The reason complaint driven by law enforcement seemingly doesn't work is because it is not anonymous. You have to give your name etc. Most people back away once they realize this. It is waaaay easier to bitch and moan on Sound Off or EBrandon anonymously, and then cry that the city does not jump right up and solve the problem. Submit those complaints people. If you are one of the people who refuse to cut your grass because if the caterpillars someone may complain about you to the city. If they come to your door the excuse that it is gross with all the caterpillars around will fall on deaf ears

I personally find it very funny that people take the time to come on ebrandon and complain or try to justify why they choose to not attend to keeping their lawns cut! To me it's all about pride, I have a fairly big yard, I cut my lawn 3 times a week, water it regularly, fertilize ,plant my flowers and trim the trees, not to mention dandelion control. Maintaining a yard is not that difficult nor time consuming. Takes 1 hr to mow. Guess it's all about priorities, but it sure is frustrating when the neighbors choose to neglect theirs! I work full time and also have a home to clean. Will never understand some people s reasoning!

Honestly.... Dandelions... With the strain on bees they need the dandelions for support. I agree some yards aren't nice to look at, but they purchased the land it is theirs not the cities. Stop looking g at others stuff and take care of your own. You do not know the situations of these people. Take care on your thoughts.

CJ said "I hope someone is listening to the concerns that are voiced on this thread.   I would appreciate that if our ward councillors brought these inquiries public at the council meetings that they would forward a list of offenders to bylaw every meeting. If enough people shared their opinion that the city is as much to blame as private property owners we could make the city a place its residents would be proud of. "

would city officials or councillors waste their time monitoring people ranting and whining on eBrandon ? If a person has a complaint that they want a councillor to attend to, they should contact the councillor directly. Posting an anonymous rant on eBrandon does not demonstrate much initiative.

standard standard h8r said "    CJ said "I hope someone is listening to the concerns that are voiced on this thread.   I would appreciate that if our ward councillors brought these inquiries public at the council meetings that they would forward a list of offenders to bylaw every meeting. If enough people shared their opinion that the city is as much to blame as private property owners we could make the city a place its residents would be proud of. " would city officials or councillors waste their time monitoring people ranting and whining on eBrandon ? If a person has a complaint that they want a councillor to attend to, they should contact the councillor directly. Posting an anonymous rant on eBrandon does not demonstrate much initiative. "

Funny how there was an article in the Brandon Sun today about bylaw asking residents to clean up their properties. Coincidence? Doubt it. There has been other times where the city has answered questions on this site. Right Adam?  
 
Some councillors choose to not answer their constituents.

Baylee said "I personally find it very funny that people take the time to come on ebrandon and complain or try to justify why they choose to not attend to keeping their lawns cut! To me it's all about pride, I have a fairly big yard, I cut my lawn 3 times a week, water it regularly, fertilize ,plant my flowers and trim the trees, not to mention dandelion control. Maintaining a yard is not that difficult nor time consuming. Takes 1 hr to mow. Guess it's all about priorities, but it sure is frustrating when the neighbors choose to neglect theirs! I work full time and also have a home to clean. Will never understand some people s reasoning! "

To have a minimum of 3 hours a week to spend on your lawn. We fertilize our lawn, keep it trimmed and weed the flower beds every once in a while when they get out of control but we certainly don't have 3+ hours a week to spend on our lawn. We also had our sand-point pump break so we can't water our lawn until we replace it, which costs extra money. Our lawn/house isn't dumpy by any means, we just don't go above and beyond basic cleanup.  
 
Maybe try putting yourself in other peoples shoes instead of judging? On this thread there are active volunteers, single parents, people who work more than full time hours - all which would make it difficult to have over 3 hours a week to maintain their property outdoors.

Our neighbors unkempt yards do affect us. The abundance of weed pollen can affect asthma and allergies. As well as the Mosquitoes and wood ticks it lures. We've now got an abundance of mice around the area as it's perfect conditions for them. Usually (at least where we are) the ones that don't tend to their yard, are the ones to ask for a buffer zone when spraying for mosquitoes. So we can't win. We keep tending to our yard, but it's hard not to judge the neighbors for not doing their part when they sit and have a smoke watching you work. Or they have energy to drink and have bonfires at night, but not Mow or weed.  
So for those that say to mind your own business, it's hard to do when it does affect others. I'm not talking about the ones that try and do it at least once every week or two, I'm talking about the ones who don't try.  
One set of my neighbors has only mowed once this year, and didn't do all of it. I really wish he would now the back lane portion he's supposed to as it's up to my butt and loaded with garbage and mice. Guess I'm just gonna have to call bylaw and hope they enforce it. Which by the way I have called (as well as 2 other neighbors called) to report a yard from an old back neighbor years ago. And they did come and enforce it. When he didn't comply in the time frame they gave him, the city came and did it and billed him. So I know they do take the reports seriously for the most part. I'm all for more enforcing of the bylaws.  
Just my opinion!

GordonSchwindt said "As I age I have learned I have very little power over other people. I can only make personal choices. A lot is made out regarding the value of paying it forward. Do the same with civic pride.     I try to model manners. I consciously try to say simple things like "Good Morning" "Please" and "Thank-you." If I see garbage I pick it up. When I go to the mall I take two to ten shopping carts back to their stations. Does more than ranting on ebrandon.     My goal is to do the same with my yard. The continued high water makes part of my property look like a slough but the rest I can keep trimmed. I cannot change slobs but at the end of the day, I can walk with my head up because I have done my part. Some don't care and will cry because the mosquitoes are so bad and their property values are dropping.     Smile and have a blessed day. "

thank you for being you, every little thing helps, and should make a person feel good knowing they are doing their part not just complaining about it, and not doing anything. its the small things like these that count the most, courtesies like a quarter in a meter you see is going to run out, a smile to someone that may have just needed that nice today. be a good person, and do your part to make the world a nicer place in all ways

lawn gone to seed im thinking of taking some of seed and spread on my lawn make thicker that landlord doesn't even care and their tree is almost on my fence again

standard standard h8r said "    CJ said "I hope someone is listening to the concerns that are voiced on this thread.   I would appreciate that if our ward councillors brought these inquiries public at the council meetings that they would forward a list of offenders to bylaw every meeting. If enough people shared their opinion that the city is as much to blame as private property owners we could make the city a place its residents would be proud of. " would city officials or councillors waste their time monitoring people ranting and whining on eBrandon ? If a person has a complaint that they want a councillor to attend to, they should contact the councillor directly. Posting an anonymous rant on eBrandon does not demonstrate much initiative. "

what good it would do to bring this up with my city councillor as his back yard looks like a garbage dump.