To the Journal editor:

Sawyer can offer a valuable resource for a remodeling class 101. There must be some developer, lending bank or home owner that would be happy to unload an empty house for the cause and declare it a donation on their taxes instead of paying the property tax, insurance and upkeep.

Some young people may have a passion in a home remodeling future. Sawyer has countless numbers of well built but vacant homes.

A school offering a class in the trades i.e. plumbing, heating and remodeling homes, could take advantage of a valuable resource and also give students a sense of pride in the work they have accomplished, not to mention a lifetime of skills as a home owner. Someone has to plunge that toilet or fix that garage door.

Local unions may have retired mentors that could pass on their skills to the younger generation. Townships may be able to forgive their uncollectible taxes and gain a taxpayer instead of supporting a blighted building.

Companies are gradually coming to Sawyer and the population may even be larger than Gwinn. If someone says the crime at Sawyer is so great, just read the court appearances in the Journal and do the math.

Per population, Sawyer’s rate is lower than some other areas. We have ample law enforcement, a good school system, a campground with a lake, a grade A golf course, a restaurant and a gas station in progress (even good blueberries). There is also a medical clinic that offers vision and dental.

An electric company already conducts a class for pole climbing skills for electrical transmission lines. Plus winter would not be an issue in building, because the house is already framed and ready for the final touch. What we don’t have is a governmental system to apply for grant money to promote new skills or enhancing parks for resident events.

Sawyer has become a haven for some investors to collect rent, write off a blighted building on their taxes, not take care of their property and guess what, it may even be your neighbor. Impossible? Ask your neighbor if they have any investments at Sawyer and check out that address.

As the houses are sold at Sawyer and the new owners move in, they take pride in ownership and take care for their investment.

Len Blondeau

Sawyer resident (by choice)