A lot of debris had to be removed, and a colleague of Justin's had already rented a Dumpster in the area. This colleague also has a truck and a pressure washer, so Justin paid the colleague and another man $240 to help take all the debris out of the yard. Both of these men worked very hard and needed the work, and now all of that debris is gone. Justin is still going to pay each of them another $100 a piece to continue helping haul things around with the truck and also bring and use the pressure washer. That is a total of $440 of expenses covering two men for two days with a truck, tools, a Dumpster, a pressure washer, and skills.
Here is some of the progress that's been made so far.
Almost all of this debris that was in the yard on December 17, 2013 has been removed
Look how much better the back yard looks as of December 20, 2013!
So far a total of 6 Dumpster runs have happened. This is a big improvement, but we are by no means close to being done.
By the way, the tree in the front yard is healthy and bears lemons, so the tree is definitely not blighted. The house isn't blighted either - it was declared a "public nuisance" by the City of New Orleans.
The front yard is looking a lot better than it did earlier this week.
December 20:
December 17:
There is still a great deal of work Justin needs help with. There are many items and layers of debris in the alley and in the yard, and they need to be removed.
The shed in the backyard is also filled with items that need to be removed. We are not going to have access to a pick-up truck all the time, so a lot of this will have to be done on Saturday, December 21.
If anyone wants to help with this job, there are some interesting items to take away!
This bike helmet is in good shape.
If you want these VHS tapes, they're yours.
Interesting art made by Justin's uncle once upon a time.
Justin's mother is extremely grateful and asked me to communicate this to everyone who has been so supportive.
She is curious as to whether the City of New Orleans will be conducting another blight inspection since she was neither notified of nor present for the inspection that allegedly took place on November 13th.
As far as the exterior of the house is concerned, little bit of the siding needs replacing, and that back shed needs work too. The house needs to be painted, and Justin said he is going to build scaffolding.
The City of New Orleans clearly said that the house has to be painted on December 12, 2013 when they noted the following violations:
CCNO 26-160a Weeds and Plant Growth
All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of eighteen (18) inches. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and,vegetation; other than,trees or shrubs. Said ‘term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.
CCNO 26-161a Rodent Harborage
(a All structures-and exterior property shall be kept free from rodent harborage and infestation. Where rodents are found, they shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes which will not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken, to eliminate rodent harborage and prevent re-infestation.
CNO 26-167b Paint or Protective Treatment:
Exterior wood surfaces; other than decay-resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by painting or:other protective covering or treatment. Peeling, flaking and chipped paint shall be eliminated and surfaces repainted.
NOTE: Having spent countless hours in the back yard, inside the house, and in the front yard and alley, I have not encountered a single rodent, nor have I seen signs of rodent harborage. The city seems to have inferred that rodents were being harbored in the debris but has not provided any evidence of rodents. The debris is in the process of being removed, as the photographs above reflect.
Please consider volunteering your time to help Justin work on the house! You'll get to see this amazing wheelbarrow, and Justin's mom has been making sandwiches and red beans w/ rice.
Justin purchased gloves and contractor bags, and we are sharing all receipts HERE.
On Saturday, December 21, the two gentlemen with the truck and pressure washer will be pressure washing the house and re-nailing siding to prepare it to paint.
We have an urgent need for financial donations to pay for materials including paint, to pay the fine due to the city by January 12, and to cover the costs of paying the gentlemen who have provided the truck, the Dumpster, and the pressure-washer.
We have collected $500 so far, which covers the cost of the contractor bags and gloves and the service provided by the two men with the pressure washer and truck and Dumpster. Being able to use their Dumpster has been fortunate as Gentilly Landfill is far away from Justin's mom's house, time consuming, and not even open all day on weekends.
Please consider donating money here! https://www.wepay.com/donations/fight-city-of-new-orleans-outrageous-blight-laws
Justin's mom, Justin, and I are extremely grateful for your support.
Here is a video of the livestream work being done at the house from December 20, 2013!
Thank you everyone who has helped so far! This fight is far from over. Also, I'm going to quote blumo0n, who articulated what I could not.
When a government can destroy one home/person/family, it can destroy any home/person/family!
We really appreciate the support we've gotten so far, and we have a long road ahead of us. We need to purchase paint and materials!
Let's save this house! Please share this post, the WePay Link, and the flyer above!
Solidarity from New Orleans,
@small_affair and @ots_nola (and his mom).
Read my initial post and Justin's statement about "Our NOLA Blight" HERE.
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