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Information: Jeremy Stutsman, 536-6377; jeremy@workingforgoshen.com

Stutsman Unveils Plan to Reduce Neighborhood Blight

GOSHEN—Jeremy Stutsman, Democratic candidate for Mayor of Goshen, has released his

comprehensive strategy for reducing blight and increasing property values in Goshen

neighborhoods. Candidate Stutsman’s five-point “Neighborhood Blight Reduction Plan”

proposes to take advantage of several tools now available to municipalities seeking to hold

owners accountable for repairing and maintaining their problem properties.

“It’s absolutely essential that we do everything possible to preserve and protect Goshen

neighborhoods,” said Stutsman. “I plan to make this a priority of my administration.” While

serving the past eight years on the Goshen City Council and as a member of the Goshen

Redevelopment Commission, contractor Stutsman, owner of Lofty Ideas, LLC, has personally

completed more than 40 building projects, mostly in Goshen’s downtown.

Stutsman noted that while Goshen has made solid efforts toward curbing neighborhood blight

under the Kauffman administration the past 18 years, much more can and should be done.

Stutsman pointed out that numerous poorly managed rental properties owned by a very small

number of owners are at the core of the problem.

"Goshen has a few problem landlords who own a vast majority of the deteriorated rental

properties in Goshen and, for the most part, they refuse to do much about it,” said

Stutsman. “We have tolerated this situation far too long, and I intend to change things once

and for all. Enough is enough."

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Democratic Council candidate Nick Borden, who is seeking to represent Goshen’s northside

district, echoed Stutsman’s concerns. “Getting good people into good homes is a key piece of

building good neighborhoods and a great city,” said Borden. “Blighted homes have a negative

effect on all aspects of this process: driving down neighboring property values, warding off

prospective buyers, harboring potential criminal activity, etc. Fixing this problem will benefit

the entire city. I fully support Jeremy Stutsman’s efforts to reduce blight.”

Highlights of Stutsman’s five-point “Neighborhood Blight Reduction Plan” are as follows:

1. Annual inspections for problem rental properties and all vacant properties. Currently,

according to Goshen ordinance, rental properties and vacant properties are inspected every

three years. Stutsman’s plan would require annual inspections for rental properties where

violations have been found and not corrected; the City also would begin inspecting vacant

properties on a yearly basis.

2. Expanded use of court-appointed receiver. The City of Goshen has the option of requesting a

court-appointed receiver who would take possession of a property and make the repairs

required to bring that property up to code.

3. Performance bonds to secure compliance. Owners of unsafe properties requesting additional

time to make repairs could be required to issue performance bonds that would guarantee that

funds are available to make the repairs.

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4. Streamlined process to transfer title to City. In cases where unsafe properties are

abandoned, Stutsman’s plan would take advantage of new state legislation that shortens the

title transfer process and returns these properties to productive use.

5. Utilization of new “Good Samaritan” law, which gives neighbors the right to clean up

abandoned properties. Indiana recently passed the so-called “Good Samaritan” law, which

allows neighbors to remove trash and debris and mow abandoned properties. While Stutsman

doesn’t want neighbors to feel they have to do what owners of abandoned properties should

be taking care of themselves, he does want Goshen residents to know they have that option.

The law provides immunity from civil liability and protects individuals from trespassing charges.

The law applies only to neighbors, as cities must follow a more strict process to clean up

properties, per Indiana law.

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