Green Bay Paper prints interesting article.

[TheMightyFavog]

Even though they skipped everything else that's going on in the world on the front page today, I still thought that this story was interesting.

http://greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_15827602.shtml




CARLSVILLE — Most tourists in this small Door County community know nothing about the little house with the half-finished blue paint job.

Visitors select from dozens of flavors at a coffee shop and winery. Inside the little blue house, Jimmy Gray watches television, eats bologna three times a day and fetches water from five-gallon buckets to flush his toilet.

Gray is mentally impaired. He was 34 when his father died in 2002, leaving him alone in the house.

Soon afterward, county officials became aware of serious problems at the home — no running water, a failing septic tank and stacks of trash indoors. Last summer, the home was condemned as a health hazard.

(snip)

He wants to stay in the home, but his only income is a monthly disability check from the government. The county is seeking grants for renovation, but neighbors and some social workers believe the home should be demolished.

(snip)

County Board Supervisor Susan Hilsabeck of Sturgeon Bay sees the Gray case differently. She has been advised of the case as a member of the Board of Health. She believes the home should be demolished and Gray put in a home, for his own good.

“The gentleman is probably not going to get better. There’s too many risks for his health if he stays in the home. He may destroy it if we fix it,” Hilsabeck said. “These are very hard decisions, but what they’re doing right now is only keeping him isolated.”

She said the house is an eyesore, keeping down property values and creating a possible fire hazard in Carlsville, which has seen a flurry of new construction recently.

What a sad story.

[TheMightyFavog]

1. Hey mods,

If you think that this needs to be moved to another forum, go ahead and do so.

[Dying Eagle]

2. Too much time and money.....

spent on a guy who isn't hurting anyone. Leave him alone. If he is happy, then so be it. His neighbors should be ashamed of themselves. Instead of helping him out with a few basic needs, they are Trying to put him away, Shame