My wife and I were long residents of Fullerton and we are so very proud of the all the ‘GOOD THINGS’ that happen there and the hard work that many of the residents are involved in to make these good things happen. We come back to attend many functions and consider Fullerton as our ‘hometown’ and enjoy being with our many friends that we have there.
Last Friday we came back to attend the Senior Day at the Nance County Fair, which we have been doing for many a year. When ‘BINGO’ started I left my wife with her friends and I decided to drive around Fullerton and take a good look at the town. I drove every street in Fullerton, east to west and north to south. I enjoyed seeing many lovely homes with landscaped yards where you could see the people living in them take pride in Fullerton.
But I also saw a lot of things I wish I hadn’t!
I could not believe the amount of homes and emptied properties that were just absolutely disgusting in my opinion! I drove by homes that were occupied, so it seemed’ where their yards were over ran by weeds and tall grasses, which you know the residents have not once had the ambition to use a lawnmower or weed eater since the season started. I saw people sitting on their front porches, smoking cigarettes and eating, completely surrounded by junk and garbage where you wonder how a person gets in and out of their home! I drove by one house who had a nice size side yard and the weeds were 3-4 feet tall and in the middle of the lot was what looked like a fairly new John Deere riding lawn, that what I assumed ran out of gas and that did it for mowing this year! Close to the business area of Fullerton I saw one home that had so much trash, vehicles, and all kinds of other waste where I just can’t figure out how they get into their home. I’m sure the rodents don’t have a problem.
I told some residents that I saw at least 50 of these properties and one of them told me then I must of quit counting as there were a lot more than fifty of these properties.
I then drove up to the home that my wife and I bought 40 years ago when we were married. I was in disbelief!
We were so excited when we got this home and decided that since it’s located on the north end of town on the highway we decided that we needed to keep it mowed and well attended so when people drove through town it was a welcome site. I was appalled at this property and I might say the one next to it also! How can anyone live it a stately home like that and have four to five feet high weeds surrounding it with all the junk mixed within! I talked with one resident that said apparently a resident of this property ran for Fullerton Mayor once. My gosh could you just imagine? I feel so sorry for the people who live close to this and maintain their yards and homes with that good old ‘FULLERTON PRIDE’!
As a lot of you know I was Chief Deputy of the Nance County Sheriff’s office for about 18 years and at that time there were many ordinances on the books that took care of these eyesore properties. I have a feeling they are still on the books and those in charge need to put their foot down and get something done and make sure the owners of these properties are following rules of these ordinances and if not be cited for their inadequacies of maintaining their homes and yards. I’m also sure there is probably a health problem that needs to be addressed as some of these have got to be filled with disease and plenty of spreadable unhealthy germs in the community!
Mike Applegate
Former Fullerton Resident