St. Francis Cemetery stays beautiful, but blight encroaches from nearby
In June 2019, a Trentonian article criticized owners of St. Francis Cemetery for lack of maintenance.
Weeds had overrun grave sites while trash, bottles, cardboard and other debris littered the one-block property located near Emory Ave., Washington St., Roebling Ave. and
Franklin St.
Property owners reacted quickly and have maintained the cemetery for almost one year. Bravo! Our neighborhood and community members thank you for the timely and consistent response.
Emotions fracture and feelings hurt when residents call out for help from government leaders, business owners, landlords and others then receive promises of reconciliation but no action.
Watched last week as several men mowed grass, weedwhacked areas near tombstones and collected trash items. Interesting that properties become easier to maintain with regular attention.
A closed bar located at the corner of Roebling Ave. and Franklin St. needs attention. The bar/restaurant shuttered months ago and shows deterioration daily.
Weeds have started to overtake the abandoned building while someone apparently lives under a backdoor canopy. A chair, cushions, and discarded clothing represent a laundry list of trash on the property across from St. Francis Cemetery.
This article serves as an alert to city officials with a request that the appropriate departments take immediate action, including notifying the property owner about this issue.
Enforcement of codes and ordinances can produce amazing results and assist in dealing with this city’s nagging blight problems.
Looking forward, a community request would likely support the termination of this liquor license as Chambersburg has more than enough bars.
In the meantime, residents should be encouraged to take a walk around their immediate neighborhood. Get to know your neighbors and keep an eye out for problems.
Finally, residents should notify city leaders about any nuisance property as we attempt to improve the quality of life in a capital city that deserves a real chance for revitalization.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.