It’s not too often that you hear about the good landlords in Raleigh. It’s great to highlight a landlord who is out there reviving a community here in South West Raleigh, one home at a time.
You may have read the News & Observer article, Caraleigh loves its landlord, telling the story of Bill Dumont–a landlord in the Caraleigh Community and a recent recipient of the Raleigh Neighborhood Recognition Awards. Why don’t we hear about more people like Bill Dumont?
The Caraleigh community is nestled just south of downtown Raleigh along the South Saunders corridor. Caraleigh isn’t organized by a home owners association (HOA), neighbors unite around their neighborhood watch program. Dumont is an active part of the community and the neighborhood watch.
Mildred Flynn, an active member of the Caraleigh Community Watch, recognized that a partnership with Dumont could lead to good things for her neighborhood. Last October, when the South West Citizens Advisory Council (SWCAC) was gathering nominations for the Raleigh Neighborhood Recognition Awards, Midlred saw an opportunity to highlight the good work that Bill was doing in her neighborhood.
After hearing the story about Dumont’s efforts, the SWCAC used their nomination for the outgoing landlord. All recipients of the Neighborhood Recognition Awards were honored on October 20, 2010 at the McKimmon Center.
See the summary of the Raleigh Neighborhood Recognition Awards: Raleigh Honors Landlord, Other Citizens.
What about the bad landlords? Raleigh City Council has made moves over the past few years to enact and strengthen the Probationary Rental Occupancy Permit Ordinance (PROP). The PROP is designed to protect renters and address problem rental properties.
Dumont has supported the PROP from it’s inception and wants Raleigh to have a healthy rental industry. But remember, Dumont is not your typical landlord. I for one, am glad he’s out there setting the bar. And setting it high.
I started this post pondering why we don’t hear more stories like this one. In this case, a person using their business skills to work with the community and turn things around. It turns out that the News & Observer has been running a series of articles highlighting the Neighborhood Recognition Award recipients since last October. I applaud and commend this.
We need more of this from the N&O. And you, as readers, should let them know that you like hearing these types of stories. I don’t like watching the news when I go home (to Kill Devil Hills, NC). When I watch Wavy TV 10 from Hampton Roads, VA, it’s mostly about shootings, crimes, and other bad stuff. Let’s have some positive news–but that doesn’t sell, does it?
Are there more stories like Bill Dumont’s out there? Probably. My guess is that most of these people are simply taken for granted. You probably know someone from work or in your community that is similar to Bill. But has their story been told?
If you know someone in south west Raleigh, we want to highlight the good things they are doing. Contact us so we can help tell their story.