Community members work together to help clean up problem property

“I like to be a part of the solution, not the problem,” said Chris Taylor, a resident of Edgewood. After finding a negative thread on a social media about an Edgewood house with a neglected yard, Taylor decided he didn't like the way his neighborhood was responding.

He said he didn't know anything about the place, hadn't seen it and didn't know who owned it. He said people thought the town of Edgewood should take action. Taylor said the only outcome he could see if the town had to take an action against the owner would be to make an elderly lady a homeless person.

Taylor said he thought code enforcement and their presence would also be associated with fines, threats, court and eventually an eviction from the local police department.

He said that would not do much to mitigate the issue of the trash.

“All you will have done is make is made someone homeless, so I was like how about we do something about it?” Taylor said, adding, “Many hands make light work.”

The owner turned out to be an elderly woman who is on disability with limited mobility, and who cares for two disabled adult sons. He said she was more than happy to accept the help. “So we are trying to make one last push because the town brings dumpsters in for the community . ... If we can get enough people here to come help out we could get a lot done,” he said.

The next clean up day is August 13 from 8:30 a.m. until it's too hot. Taylor will be cooking under a canopy on the property to feed all the volunteers.

The clean-up efforts would benefit from trucks that can pull trailers or be loaded with trash or both, he said. The address is 14 Mustang Drive in Edgewood, just off of 344.