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Letters to the Editor

Let Fresno be a city that cares about its residents

In 2016, city code enforcement inspector John Tanksley examines a broken heater – improperly hooked up and with bare wires exposed – at a Fresno apartment complex. The city is planning a stronger rental housing inspection program but said Oct. 26 that its start is delayed until early 2018.
In 2016, city code enforcement inspector John Tanksley examines a broken heater – improperly hooked up and with bare wires exposed – at a Fresno apartment complex. The city is planning a stronger rental housing inspection program but said Oct. 26 that its start is delayed until early 2018. jwalker@fresnobee.com

The Rev. Steve Ratzlaff wrote a moving commentary (Valley Voices, Oct. 20) hoping to get the Rental Housing Improvement Act implemented. It has been lounging in the stack of Fresno City Council business since it was passed in February.

Many of our fellow Fresnans are existing in slum housing ridden with mold, rats, roaches, broken plumbing and dangerous wiring. What will it take to get the council off the dime?

Maybe Garry Bredefeld would consider becoming irate over little children living in such conditions.

Maybe Mayor Lee Brand, now that Fulton Street is open (God only knows how much money was spent there), can spare some time to put a burr under the collective saddle of the council. Can he lead to get this already approved life-changing legislation moving?

An Oct. 28 Bee article said it will likely be another year before the kinks are worked out and the program begins. Are you kidding me? It isn't brain surgery, council. Hire the people it will take. Fresno has the money! Let's be a city that cares about all its residents and let's prove it by getting this Rental Housing Improvement Act going and going now! To Rev. Ratzlaff, I say amen and amen!

This story was originally published November 3, 2017 at 2:13 PM with the headline "Let Fresno be a city that cares about its residents."

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