Judge controversy highlights what’s need: all of us helping out
Regardless what you think of Hamtramck Judge Alexis Krot, her handling of a blight case highlighted something that is needed in the community:
Neighbors and volunteers caring about our elderly and ill fellow residents.
The Krot controversy involved the treatment meted out to a 72-year-old man suffering from cancer who was ticketed last summer for having tall weeds around his garage facing the alley.
Krot was correct in pointing out that neighbors don’t want to look at that.
But maybe instead of ticketing homeowners for having issues like overgrown weeds, someone in the city could organize a volunteer crew to take care of the problem.
We have a number of residents who are incapacitated for one reason or another and have a hard time taking care of their property.
It would be inspiring that if instead of punishing people and fining them, there could be a way for volunteers to step in.
Better yet, good neighbors look out for each other. The shame here is not the elderly man, but the general lack of empathy of anyone living nearby the old gent.
We have to remember, we are all in this together, and if one house on the block needs some attention, we all suffer.
Posted Jan. 28. 2022
3 Responses to Judge controversy highlights what’s need: all of us helping out
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Mark M. Koroi
January 30, 2022 at 9:31 pm
“Krot was correct in pointing out that neighbors don’t want to look at that.”
Yes, however the weeds were cut and disposed long before the hearing. The issuance of a citation served its purpose and one wonders why he had to appear in court at all – either the city needed to dismiss the ticket upon proof of compliance or have the court impose the fine at hearing politely and call the next case.
Hamtramck City Council should be commended for their unanimous vote to censure Judge Krot.
The “general lack of empathy” point is well-taken; let us organize volunteers to assist seniors who need weed control help.
We need to perceive our neighbors as more than mere property owners. Government representatives need to show compassion to elderly residents.
Mark M. Koroi
January 31, 2022 at 1:43 am
The concept of rigorous law enforcement by city government
against a minority population was studied by the U.S. Department of Justice with regard to Ferguson, Missouri:
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-findings-two-civil-rights-investigations-ferguson-missouri
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-and-city-ferguson-missouri-resolve-lawsuit-agreement-reform-ferguson
The situation in Ferguson is not dissimilar to the what immigrants and minorities have faced in the City of Hamtramck for several decades.
Mark M Koroi
February 1, 2022 at 5:35 pm
“Sunshine is the best disinfectant.”
– former Associate U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis.
Without Zoom! coverage of the 31st District Court cases, the incident involving Burhan Choudhury would likely have never been revealed.