JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
She's been a lifelong resident of Redmond Avenue off of Bailey Avenue, but Mrs. Annie Harris Alexander says the house next door to hers, 3321 Redmond Avenue, is making life difficult for her in her golden years.
She called 3 On Your Side for help and it's the subject of this Taking Back Our Neighborhoods report.
Mrs. Annie Harris Alexander loves her backyard garden. She also takes pride in her 35-year-old rose bush she calls, "7 Sisters".
She owns her home and at 86-years-old, she has no plans to move away from the neighborhood she's lived in from the beginning.
"Right, when it was first developed. Dr. Redmond developed this neighborhood in 1952 and I'm the first person that lived in this house. Do the math," said Alexander.
Asked how the neighborhood has changed, she replied, "It used to be real nice, but most of the homeowners are dead and new people are in and they just renters and I think it's about, in this block, it's only about 3 or 4 of us left."
It's increasingly difficult for Alexander to enjoy her passion for gardening these days because of the abandoned house next door and the vacant lot behind her.
"The yard is overgrown and I see rats and all that next door," said Alexander.
The Hinds County Real Property list shows the owners of 3321 Redmond Avenue as Greta B. Bully and Jacqueline R. Tard.
"I guess she wasn't able to maintain it. So, I guess she had to leave and once in awhile she would get the yard done, so I guess something has happened there also," said Alexander.
I asked her has she had tried to contact the Mayor's Action Line or Community Improvement.
"No, I need the information in order to try to contact them," replied Alexander.
Alexander has that information now and she promises to contact the city of Jackson.
I will check back with Mrs. Alexander once she has contacted city officials about the neglected properties and I'll do a follow up report.
Let us help you take back your neighborhood. Just send an email to hballou@wlbt.com or contact me on Facebook or Twitter.
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