An issue facing Rockdale County residents is an abundance of neglected or foreclosed on properties.

If you drive through many of our communities you will see house after house with overgrown weeds and broken windows.

Many of these empty homes are now owned by banks, mortgage companies or investors. We would like to see ordinances enacted or enforced that would impose heavy fines if these businesses don’t do the right thing and properly maintain their properties.

We feel for the neighbors, who take the time and show the pride of ownership in the upkeep of their properties. They have little or no recourse to challenge the banks and mortgage companies which own these eyesores.

One thing that keeps people going in difficult times is their pride, and that takes a hit when banks and mortgage companies neglect their properties. If our community loses its pride, we will be in serious trouble.