Dear Editor,

This is an open letter to the residents of Rust Ranch and Blanco County officials regarding 101 Silver Spur, Lot 157.

The abandoned property next door to me sits as a structure that is caving in from the roof, with grass and weeds surrounding the used to be home, so tall that they completely cover a car parked on the back of the property. What started as a moat, that was to surround part of the property, is now a drainage disaster and a breeding ground for mosquitos. There are several cats that live in the structure, and even a lady in the neighborhood that dares approach the house, going inside to feed the cats faithfully everyday. Recently over the Halloween holiday, children in our neighborhood became intrigued with the house and are calling it The Spooky House. As curious kids will be curious, I have caught several children, mine included, playing in the yard and yes inside the house. After countless attempts to keep our children off the property, they still persist to investigate.

I have made several calls in regards to this property, spoken to the tax attorney, the county clerk’s office, our precinct commissioner, the title company and even Colonel Roper’s office in effort to obtain the status of the property and how we can clean it up. I have inquired of ways to purchase the property so that I could clean it up myself but have not been successful obtaining useful information.

I am seeking any resources or information in regard to anything that can provide a starting point to address the eye sore property. Am I left only to wait for the owners to suddenly appear, or a tax suit that could take years before the health hazardous property is cleaned up? What if before we clean up this mess one of our children are playing inside the structure and it finally caves in? What if they become sick from the animal feces inside and surrounding the property, or if they were bitten by a snake hiding in the overgrown grass?

If you can be of any assistance, please call me at 830-385-6885.

Thank you,

Michelle Grohe

Blanco, TX