Life’s Reflections: Groups Forming To Help Beautify This Village

By
Linda Moody / Columnist & Reporter
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1374
This is our family's refreshing view of the Hall property from our driveway nearby. It's always in perfect condition and the owners are meticulous in taking care of it. (Linda Moody photo)

It was interesting to visit an Ansonia Village Council meeting once again following quite a few years of not having covered them.

I was there a couple of weeks ago by invitation when some townspeople brought up an issue that was bothering them. That something focused on residents who are not taking care of their properties.

Much discussion was held on the subject, mixed in with a couple of other topics such as stray cats, abandoned vehicles, dilapidated buildings and vandalism.

Many said they want Ansonia to look like it used to look.

To me, as a resident and usually on the go, I don’t pay attention to those kinds of things as much, but there are people who do. And, that’s a good thing.

I don’t remember living in a place where an eyesore was close by…maybe the inside of my house at times but not outside.

However, I think the discussions that were held were of value for the future of the village.

Resident Crystal Reier Gibbs suggested helping out those who cannot help themselves — those who are unable to take care of the respective property or those who cannot afford to do it — and said she would be willing to do that when time allowed.

The mayor and council members, I think, would be agreeable to something like that.

Anyhow, the next day on Facebook, she put on there: “Calling all Dads with mowers! Or anyone willing to volunteer a little time and help the village, along with myself and several others, get some of these houses cleaned up around town. We are offering to help the residents with overgrown properties. So if anyone has any lawn tools, a little drive, and some time, please contact me as I will be forming a small group to try and help a couple houses a week. Again, this is volunteers.”

One of the many homes in Ansonia that has a well-kept property is that of Steve and Roberta Hall, our neighbors catty-corner across the street. I’d hate to name other properties because it’s hard for me to keep up with who lives where anymore.
We have lived where we do now for 16 1/2 years, and the Hall place always looks gorgeous. I don’t know how they do it.
They have what looks like a flower and vegetable garden out back, flowers lining their walkway to their front door, and well-trimmed hedges this time of year, and in the winter time, he’s out there with a snow-blower if needed.
I admire them for that. And, I’m sure I’d feel the same about others who put their properties as a first priority.
Yes, Ansonia Council seemed to be grateful to the recent gathering because, if you haven’t seen it, they issued this the next morning online:
“On Tuesday, 7/18/2023, multiple members of the community attended the village council meeting.  The attendees brought forward concerns regarding properties within the Village that are not being maintained.  Some examples given were: overgrown yards and weeds, building maintenance issues, and trash and junk piling up.
Council members explained to the attendees that many of these issues are being addressed. They also explained there are challenges and processes the village has to follow to legally ‘take action’ against property owners in trying to resolve the issues mentioned.”
It went on, “After much conversation, the attendees and the village council agreed that the most effective course of action may be to have community volunteers assist residents who may be having issues completing this maintenance on their own. If someone is struggling physically or financially, having volunteers assist them vs litigation and fines is likely a better resolution for our community. Those offering to volunteer would like to schedule or set day(s) to complete work.
If you are willing to volunteer in the clean-up efforts, please message our page.
If you are a resident in need of this type of assistance, please message our page, so a volunteer can assess what you may need and what resolution can be made.”
The statement extended its appreciation to the residents in attendance that night.
“The council is appreciative of the willingness of residents to volunteer to better our community, and to be a part of potential solutions,” it said.
Sounds like a plan.
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Jamie and I extend our condolences to the families and friends of Barbara Ebeling and Shawna Dee Leigeber.
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Please pray for these people: Allison “Ally” Miller, Mary Lou Runner, Grace Boyd, Jason Stover Jr., Jeff Brocious, Jamie Knick, Dan Lockhart, Vanna Hannam, Jenny Pitman, Nikole Baldridge, Chester Bryant, Melinda (Batten) Stacy, Michelle Young, Tommy Farmer, Margaret Hoening, Manual Macias, Kathy McNutt Dapore, Lester Beisner, Delores Beisner, Kermit Foureman, Chuck “C.W.” Cruze, Mark Lovejoy, Connie Buemi Hodson, Michelle Grottle Wright, Cheryl Slonaker Gilmore, Judy York, Donald Booker, Dennis Leeper, Connie Stachler, Randy Heck, Ronnie Norton, Marie Schlechty, Jeremy “Jerm” Burke, Bev Brumbaugh, Gary Eichler, David Pretzman, Clinton Randall, Linda Lore, Ralph Byrd, Doug Winger, Rusty Maloy, Debbie Mayse, Sonja and Dan Coppess, Jeanie Francis, Harvey Hinshaw, Bruce Kaiser, Amanda Mote, Gary Francis, Anthony and Theresa Grillot, Lee Everhart, Paul Gigandet, Doug Whittington, Tracy Pratt, Kinley Bernard, D’Arleen Waymire, Tish Hodson Shepherd, Zach Urbancic.
Also, Sharon Gamster, John Rimmer, Joan Keen, Carol Hemmerich, Sharon Hummel, Dave Hinshaw, Larry P. Fitzwater, Jim Thomas, Neal Gray, Michael Mowery, Kenny Edwards, Judie Hathaway, Della Burch, Ned and Brenda Wallace, Rick Marker, Randy Garrison, Steve Waymire, Warren Menchhofer, Jannie Barrow, Kathy Gragorace, Danny Foster, Noella Combs, Becky Everhart, Becky Oliver, Jayden Martin, Stefani Priest, Steve Neff, James Enicks, Joann Freeman, Cathy Collins Peters, Donna Bixler, Linda Subler, Roger McEowen, Sally Burnett Ganger, Gloria Hodge, Jeff Baltes, Judy Hoffman and daughter Shelly, Cathy Melling, Scott Clark, and all of those who are suffering from other life-altering illnesses.
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Happy birthday:  
July 27 to Marilyn McMiller, Brenda Striegel, Gale Kenworthy, Corey Kramer Weiss, Clinton Randall, Mick Rinderle, Marty McCabe, Susan Adams Ellis, Ken Stiefel, Gary Peace, and Jason Grieshop.
July 28 to Alex Soward, Katie Hummel, and Kim Beam.
July 29 to Jeremie Hittle, Kay Pequignot-McCracken, Brad Shook, Mark Bixler, and Martha Everman.
July 30 to Arnold Norton, Dennis Riffle, John Scott Burkett, and Toby Winner.
July 31 to Dee Howell and Lindsey Foster.
Aug. 1 to Jeff Riffell, twins Ron and Rick Bickel, twins Sharon and Karon Strait, Dave Fitzgerald, Terry Longfellow, Jason Menchhofer, Fred Matix, and Irene Rosenbeck Siler.
Aug. 2 to Ron Crist, Zane Keller, Gloria Hodge, Tina Jo Fourman, Melinda Bryson Frantz, Adam Cothran, Denney Heck, Mike Williams of The Winery, Mitch  Eiting, April Staver, Payton Marie, Kathy Hiestand, and Allison Dynes.
Happy anniversary to Jake and Alyssa DeMange on July 27; Clarence and Norma Kammer and Sandy and Dan Garber, all on July 28; Holly and Harold Riffell and John and Lori Linebaugh, all on Aug. 2.
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Think about it: “When you finally go back to your old hometown, you find it wasn’t the old home you missed but your childhood.” — Author Unknown

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