Publisher: Let’s clean up our act and image in 2013

There’s a move afoot by the Department of Public Works and the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority to fight blight, with a focus on abandoned houses and vacant lots. In his new column, Business Report Publisher Rolfe McCollister says he applauds the initiative because “as a taxpayer I am not interested in paying to take care of someone else’s property.” McCollister says those who own neglected homes and properties should have the option of doing one of four things: “sell it, maintain it, use it—or lose it.” McCollister also suggests that the new, strict anti-blight program be expanded to local commercial property and businesses, specifically in regards to abandoned signage. “This is simply ‘sight pollution,’ and it is just as ugly and distasteful as trash in the street or abandoned homes in our neighborhoods,” he says. “Someone is not taking care of their business, and there is no excuse. Where is their community pride?” You can check out a photo gallery of a few examples of the kind of “sight pollution” McCollister is talking about here. “There are other cities that run successful programs addressing this problem of blight, and there is no reason we can’t get started here in 2013,” McCollister says. “But let’s make sure we address abandoned properties and abandoned signs.” Read the full column here; and send your comments to editors@businessreport.com.