I just got off the phone with Lewiston's code enforcement office for the umpteenth time for the same complaint of trash on neighboring property in the downtown area. City officials do a great job of responding to the complaints, taking care of a problem the same day. But why isn’t the city fining the landlords? Excuses like it's the tenants' fault or the landlord is doing the best he can with the amount of properties he owns or manages does not cut it.

By landlord, I mean the one who is the caretaker of the property. Landlords decide who will live in those properties. They are responsible for deciding if they have too many properties to take care of properly.

A landlord doesn't need to be a tyrant, but needs to set up rules for tenants to abide by or face removal.

Having responsible landlords would be like having hundreds of CEOs in the city — a city free of trash blowing and dog droppings on green areas (which prevents children from enjoying play areas).

It is not impossible, as my wife and I have been responsible landlords, choosing great tenants through the years. We made sure those tenants cared for where they lived.

Landlords should not need micro-managing from the city. After all, being considerate of their buildings' appearance only enhances the value of their buildings, as well as respecting their neighbors' hard work in keeping neighborhoods a nice place to reside.

Steven Goulet, Greene