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In light of the recent fire at Mount Slaven School, I think it's about time Orillia's city council get a grip and start going after these property owners/landlords to either get new tenants in or simply tear the place down and sell the lot for future development instead!
These places are not only unpleasant to constantly look at, but they're also a magnet for the homeless to seek shelter from the freezing cold (now that winter is on it's way and nights are getting colder) or persons with malicious, criminal intent.
As many who live here know, Orillia has a history when it comes to our vacant and abandoned buildings. Many of them do someday go up in flames which puts not only nearby residents at risk of extreme property damage or perhaps losing their homes, but also our emergency personnel as well.
Look no further than the old Sundial Inn which went up in flames in 2011 between April and May.
What about those vacant, abandoned homes on Front Street that were already slated for demolition in 2013/14?
To me and probably many other citizens of Orillia, having a building be unoccupied for over a year or more is highly unacceptable and that's where the city needs to step it up and start going after these owners, pressuring them to either get someone in and occupy the place or simply demolish it to make room for something that will benefit the citizens of Orillia.
Having a vacant, abandoned, rotting piece of property doesn't do us any good!
Rachel Scully
Orillia
