Pride in ownership is disappearing

As a life long member of this community, I am saddened by the transition from clean streets, manicured lawns and well maintained homes to modern day sights of houses in disrepair, junk stacked on driveways and porches and unkept lawns full of weeds and other debris.

What has happened to the human psyche when pride of ownership has disappeared? Is it so hard to just cut the grass or put trash out of sight? Does it make any sense that one pays thousands for a car and trashes it in just a short time?

If people are unable to maintain their property, then perhaps they should live in an apartment so they aren’t burdened with the necessary maintenance. How many times have I looked at a house in beautiful condition only to see furniture, bikes and trash on the front porch of the house across the street?

Pride of ownership is gone in Cedar Rapids. This is not a blanket comment about all citizens but rather a lament for the way people used to take care of their property. Many Czech immigrants lived in small, humble houses with very little income and took pride in their property. Houses were maintained, yards manicured and flowers were in abundance. Even the poorest areas of the city looked better than they do now.

I believe that the present state of affairs indicates that there is a basic problem with pride and respect that seems to have vanished.

Robert Tosh

Cedar Rapids