Neighborhood has come a long way

I feel compelled to comment on the article in Sunday's paper concerning the loud noises, etc., on the 400 block of Carolina Avenue ("Calling all Spencer residents").

I know that Forrest Clanton feels strongly about what he is doing, but he has no idea how far we have come in the last five to eight years.

There are 18 houses on this block, and at one time there were only 7 homeowners. This block used to be plagued with drug dealers, thieves, Stepping Stone houses and renters who did not care about the neighborhood, much less what you thought.

I am proud to live on this block because it has become a neighborhood again — a neighborhood where people keep their yards and property clean.

A place where now the percentage of homeownership has soared. We have only three empty houses and maybe one or two renters, who I must say are an asset to our neighborhood. This is one of the best blocks in the town of Spencer.

Granted, not everyone is going to get along all the time, but we have to learn to live with each other.

I am concerned about the more serious issues facing this town like gangs, absentee landlords, loss of businesses, taxes and the way the North area is perceived. A lot of Spencer's problems come from the transient renters and their landlords. It is prevalent here because of the size of the town and the number of cheap housing.

I commend Mr. Clanton for wanting to improve the town but his efforts could be more constructive if he put his passion towards the more important issues. Has he ever thought of starting a Community Watch program? This town could use someone with his passion to get one off the ground.

— Laurie Wilson

Spencer

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