The Pharr Press (Pharr, Tex.), Vol. 64, No. 32, Ed. 1 Monday, June 9, 1986 Page: 2 of 6
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THE PHARR PRESS
JUNE 9, 1986 MONDAY
PAGE 2
FPTTOR T ALS/OPINION
Weedy Lots Making City Look Bad
With the recent rais that the area
has received, farmers are
certainly glad about the growth
that will stimulate in their crops.
However, the City of Pharr will
certainly be taking a close look at
the weeds and growth that wil
result.
Weedy lots, overgrown with
weeds, shrubs, and trash have
begun to accumulate in the city.
According to city staff, there are
at least 130 lots that need serious
attention.
For most people, a weedy lot is
just an unsightly mess.
However, there is more to worry
about than just the way things
look.
Weedy lots also attract trash.
But, the real danger comes
from the rodents, rats, possums,
and other animals that tend to
make their homes in such
overgrown lots.
Mosquitoes are also another
problem that follow weedy lots.
Mosquitoes tend to breed in the
water that collects and stagnates
in between the tall grass and
weeds. One weedy lot can
provide enough mosquitoes to
bother an entire neighborhood.
A quick tour of the city
revealed that weedy lots are
growing at a fast rate, especially
after the recent rains.
While most people manage to
clean out their properties, some
people let the maintenance fall
behind. And the City of Pharr is
going to take some action about
that.
According to Code
Enforcement Officer Jesse
Izaguirre, the city has an ordiance
that requires property owners to
keep their lots properly
maintained. If a piece of property
becomes a weedy lot, then the
city will start to take some action.
The city receives complaints
about weedy lots primarily from
neighbors. Once a complaint has
been received, the city will notify
the property owner that the lot
has become overgrown with
weeds and is a public nuisance.
The owner is given tend days
to either take care of the matter or
inform the city about their
intentions. If the property owner
does not clean up the property
within that period, the city then
files a complaint with the Phan-
Municipal Judge.
The judge then summons the
property owner to appear in court
to answer the complaint.
When the property owner
appears in court, the judge will
either allow them a few more
days to clean up the property or
pay a fine. The fine can be up to
$200 per day as long as the
property is not cleaned up.
While fines are rare, they have
been handed out by the court in
some cases.
Jesse Izaguirre indicated that
the city has no desire to start
taking people to court. However,
they do hope that people start to
clean up their properties.
Hi
Overgrown Front Yard - This house seemed to be unoccupied at the time. However, it also
seemed unkept. The front yard was covered by weeds and tall grass.
THE PHARR PRESS
The PHARR PRESS dedicates itself to report the items
of interest to the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo area, as well as
the surrounding communities. The PHARR PRESS is
published every morning in Pharr, Hidalgo County,
Texas, by the Pharr Publishing Co., Inc. The offices of
the PHARR PRESS are located at 319 S. Cage, Pharr,
Texas. Mail can be received at P.O. Box 710, Pharr,
Texas 78577-0710. USPS 429-660. Post Master,
please send form 3579 for change of address.
ARNOLDO MATA
Editor
PAT VILLARREAL
Advertising Manager
PETE ZUNIGA
Photographer
JOSIE MATA
Graphics
GEORGE WATTS
Sports
"Un Vox Clamantis In Deserto”
JUAN CARLOS MORALES
Publisher
EDITORIAL POLICIES
The PHARR PRESS welcomes all comments
on its news stories, editorials, and general
content. We will gladly publish any guest
editorials on any topic, provided that they are
cleared for grammar, spelling, style, and libel
prior to printing. Please contact the Editor for
this.
The PHARR PRESS also welcomes any letters
or other written comments for our "Speaking
Out” letters column. Such letters should be
brief and to the point. All letters will be
published as space is available and provided they
are signed, with a legible address, and telephone
number when possible. Unsigned letters will
not be considered. Please address all letters to
the Editor, PHARR PRESS, P.O. Box 710,
Pharr, Texas 78577-0710.
Keep your working
parts in order.
If this does not happen, the city
will eventually move to get the
properties cleaned up. The city
will not actually go out and cut
down weeds and clean out lots,
but they will work to get the
owner to do so.
The city will provide a list of
firms or individuals that will
clean lots for a moderate cost.
In our tour of the city, we
found several houses that were
overgrown with weeds and trash.
We also found one industrial
area, bordering a residential area,
with the area overgrown with
grass, weeds, and even some
shrubs and small trees.
Neighbors in that area have
complained that the area is
dangerous because of the
possumes, mosquitoes, and trash
that have accumulated there.
The city urges all property
owners to maintain their lots to
avoid future problems.
1
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Going Out Into The Street - The overgrown weeds at this home seem to have gone past the
house and started to take over the sidewalk.
, its.g'3.
-
Facing An Entire Neighborhood - This industrial area on the right faces a residential neighbor
hood for several blocks. Despite the fence, the weeds are clearlyl visible and overgrown.
At first, it was only
once a week. Then three
times. Now they’re out for
blood every night.
And they’re not alone.
They’re just two of the
thousands of people all
over the country who are
finally starting to do
something about the dis-
ease that kills almost
32,000 Americans every
year—and afflicts another
38 million.
It’s high blood pressure.
And once you know you’ve
got it, you can usually
control it. By following
your doctor’s advice on
exercise, weight control,
salt intake, and medication.
Talk to your doctor today
about getting started on a
program that will keep
you out for blood. And in
the running.
WERE FIGHTING FOR
YOUR LIFE
American Heart
Association
2
mM
. V
. -
Junked Car - This particular yard was overgrown with weeds and included a junked truck in the
background. Several small trees have started to grow, too.
S
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Mata, Arnoldo. The Pharr Press (Pharr, Tex.), Vol. 64, No. 32, Ed. 1 Monday, June 9, 1986, newspaper, June 9, 1986; Pharr, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth866832/m1/2/: accessed July 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Pharr Memorial Library.