Blight on Our Streets, Silence from Zoning & Trustees

When I moved to Russell, I was immediately struck by the area's natural beauty. Whether I’m walking the dog through our neighborhood, hiking the trails at Westwood Park, or simply driving through the township, I’m constantly reminded of how special this community is.

But over time, I began to notice something troubling—several homes and properties scattered throughout the township that were clearly vacant and left to decay. One property in particular caught my attention: the house at the corner of Chillicothe Road and Ridgewood Lane. From the roadside, I could see unregistered vehicles left to rust, and through the overgrowth, the outline of a decaying home was barely visible.

My question to my opponents is this: Why weren’t the zoning violations addressed?

Overgrown properties, unregistered vehicles, and building safety issues are clear violations that fall within the township’s authority to act on. Mr. Vilmas passed away in 2019, and even then, the property was already showing visible signs of neglect. As the estate entered probate, none of his heirs took responsibility for maintenance or cleanup.

So, I ask again: From 2019 until the house collapsed on March 4 of this year, why was no action taken to enforce zoning codes? Why did it take a structural collapse for the trustees to finally intervene?

As a former firefighter, I understand the serious risks that vacant and deteriorating properties pose—not just to safety, but to the character and value of our community. These structures attract vermin, pose fire hazards, and can become dangerous playgrounds. With the median home price in Russell Township hovering around $400,000, I found myself asking: how could this happen here?

Just two houses west of the collapsed home is another vacant, overgrown property. And just down the road, the long-abandoned propane building stands as a stark reminder of what happens when blight is allowed to persist on our major thoroughfares.

If elected, Heutmaker and Ishee will act promptly and decisively to address vacant and decaying properties—not just along the key corridors where former propane sits as an eyesore, but in our neighborhoods too. 

We believe in protecting the safety, beauty, and property values of our community. We will work to ensure that no home or commercial property is left to become a hazard, and that the township has clear, proactive policies in place to address these issues before they become emergencies.

Left to rot and collapse by zoning and the trustees