Our View

Our View

The plight and the blight of Harvard Yard

It is absolutely disgusting to see the deplorable thirdworld conditions that exists in Harvard Yard.

Abandoned vehicles, unsanitary garbage, trash and debris line the streets in this subdivision that is considered part of the also run-down incorporated area of Sunset.

The filth created by the remaining residents of this slum has clearly reached a point Crittenden County officials must take immediate action for the pure and simple reason of serious health concerns for those people who live there, as well as the entire Crittenden County area.

We are shocked that some serious action on the part of the county and state health departments hasn’t already been taken in that what now exists is prime breeding grounds for rats that carry diseases, stray dogs and cats as well as other obnoxious varmints.

We’ve learned that Crittenden County Judge Woody Wheeless has attempted to address this filthy situation by making county-owned Dumpsters available in the area but even doing that has done very little to improve the living conditions.

Listen, there is absolutely no excuse for anyone, even if they are poor, to live in such filth. There is no excuse whatsoever to simply throw nasty garbage on the street knowing good and well there is no garbage service to pick it up.

What do these people expect? Do they actually think it is up to the taxpayers of Crittenden County to provide them with free garbage and trash service?

If these people who call Harvard Yard their home choose to live in these deplorable and unsanitary conditions, what makes any public official think for one second that sending them threatening letters will change anything?

We understand that the county has sent out letters to property owners regarding cleaning up their property but that has clearly not changed a thing.

Judge Wheeless has gone so far as to tearing down abandoned and unlivable dwellings and placed liens on the property but that too has done nothing to improve the living conditions of the area.

And, let’s face the fact that as the hot summer months approach there will be the added problem of overgrown property which will certainly attract snakes, roaches and mice.

Judge Wheeless pointed out there has even been an attempt by private garbage collectors to step in and offer services but that too has been stopped due to irresponsible residents failing to pay.

So then, the latest suggestion by Wheeless and Quorum Court Justice Lisa O’Neal to add trash and garbage collection fees added to the water bills.

Harvard Yard gets its water from Sunset, but Marion does the billing for Sunset.

As Justice Vickie Robertson pointed out, the idea of making trash and garbage fees part of the water bill provides a mechanism for cutting off service for nonpayment.

We know these residents have somehow accepted the fact they can allow this filthy and unsanitary situation to exists but we doubt very seriously they can live without water service.

Cutting off water service for non-payment will surely attract their attention and either they will pay for services rendered or simply pack up and leave the area.

There is absolutely no excuse whatsoever for people in this day and age in this country to live like this and every available resource available to county and state officials to either clean up or move out must be instituted.