Paris is its own worst enemy
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11/17/2009
I am a commercial property owner in Paris, Me. I grew up in Paris and have been involved in several businesses there. I currently own the 2 buildings directly across from the town office at 24 Market Square. I sometimes wonder if the money I have invested in my property will ever pay back. The more I invest, the more the taxes and insurance rates climb as property values plunge. It has been nearly impossible to attract descent tenants because of the overall state of conditions in Paris.
The town of Paris will never live up to its true potential unless the current management is replaced by more competent people. The economy in Paris is horrible with little opportunity for good jobs (11% unemployment)and no motivation on the part of the town management to bring in any viable industry. They have no plan in place to draw businesses to the area. There are too many eyesores that bring property values down including the towns' own buildings. The "historical" Paris fire department garage recently caved in under the weight of a snow load which could have easily been removed if anyone bothered to maintain it. Now the building is boarded up with 4 x 8 sheets of plywood and the roof still leaks. There is no heat in the building and it has made a good sanctuary for stray cats, rats, and squirrels. The building also attracts skateboarding kids who like to vandalize the adjacent property (mine) with grafitti. They will not waiver from their position of "do nothing" with it and let it deteriorate even though I have expressed interest in buying the building over the past ten years.
If the town of Paris is ever going to prosper, the management needs to stop bickering and resolve to move forward with real plans for growth, and that starts with cleaning up the mess and encouraging new businesses to move in.
Michael Gilbert
Michael | Tewksbury, MA