Resident urges Martinsville council to act on 'slumlords,' requests clearer enforcement and ordinance changes

During public comment at the Martinsville Common Council meeting on March 9, resident and property owner Terry Glean accused local landlords of operating substandard rental units that depress property values and harbor crime, and asked the council to clarify who controls ordinance enforcement and how residents should pursue remedies.

Glean said he had met previously with the mayor and with staff members including Mr. Strader and that the problem is long-running. "I come before the council tonight as a taxpayer of multiple homes in the city here. And what I'd like to address is the issue of the slum lords in Martinsville," Glean said. He described tenant complaints about animals getting into homes, poor maintenance and other conditions he called unacceptable. He said he had been advised to contact council members and to bring public attention to the issue if internal remedies proved ineffective.

Council members and staff responded with process guidance: the mayor and staff explained that enforcement depends on whether existing ordinances apply, that the unsafe building authority and building inspector (Mr. Strader) handle certain cases, and that modifications to ordinances would require council action. Miss Coffee said she would check whether Mr. Strader and Mr. Downey had inspected the property and report back. The mayor advised Glean to submit a written request and supporting materials if he wants the matter placed on a future agenda so the council and staff can distribute documents to the media and to council members in advance.

Glean asked to be placed on a future docket and offered to serve as a point of contact for follow-up inspections. Staff and council members said they would coordinate inspections and provide recommendations on whether ordinance changes or enforcement actions are appropriate. The council announced the next meeting date and adjourned.