EDITORIAL: No demolition for McGregor house, but standoff could have been avoided
It was quite generous of the McGregor City Council to deliver a stay of execution, so to speak, late Monday on the proposed demolition of retired teacher Kathryn Pace’s home.
It’s also a testament of the good will that the city’s mayor, Jimmy Hering, is offering his former second-grade teacher.
But we can’t help noticing it’s a shame the situation got to this point.
Pace, 72, faced her home being razed because an infestation of cats left her house so smelly that neighbors could no longer stand the odor. In October, a jury in Waco’s 414th State District Court determined that Pace’s home was a public nuisance. On Jan. 11, Judge Vicki Menard issued a ruling giving the city the authority to evict Pace and tear it down.
But on Feb. 13, just days before a potential demolition, Pace wrote an impassioned guest column for the Trib in which she pleaded with officials and the community to show her mercy. And they did.
For that we’re grateful. No one wants her to lose her home. But we do hope all have learned from this.
Neighbors were frustrated. Officials were vexed. Pace was anxious. And the city spent $52,450 in court costs to prosecute the case.
This could have been avoided had Pace graciously accepted early offers from volunteers and groups eager to help clean her home for free.
Let this be a lesson that we should never be too proud to accept help. Pace might have been generous to take in, feed and care for dozens of stray cats over the years. Nevertheless, she appeared loath to allow others to help her.
We wish her the best and hope she continues with cleanup efforts.
MORE IN EDITORIALS »
Magazine
New issue!
- Check out June's issue
- Summer swimwear, great teachers, El Conquistador & more
- Link: View the magazine as a virtual flipbook
In My Opinion
Most Read
Buddy Skeen's legal issues loom over McLennan County tax assessor election
Woman stabbed multiple times in downtown Waco
Mike Copeland: Eateries come, go in Waco
Conn's and Freebirds nearing Waco openings
Sheriff candidate Plemons had day in court over debt
Home sellers cautioned to hide medicines
Man doubts ruling, calling brother's death homicide
Buy, sell & more
Waco marketplace
- Boocoo auctions: Sell your stuff!
- WacoTribCars.com
- Jobs: Waco listings
- Real estate: Waco listings
- Buy & sell merchandise
- Classified ads for Waco
