I was born and raised in Ione and still have family in town. I was excited in recent weeks to visit family and see how the ol' homestead was fairing. I have to admit that I didn't venture too far into town on this visit, but where I did go gravely disappointed me.
Upon entering town from Highway 104 (southbound from Sacramento), I turned right on Sutter Lane. With a few exceptions, there isn't a home (or duplex) exterior on this street that anyone would be proud of. A controlled burn of the majority of these homes would make this street more appealing than what is currently erected. I am saddened that areas of my hometown are in such decline.
I am no longer a resident of Ione, so my opinion may not hold much weight, but if I were a potential home buyer from out of town, I would be very hesitant to purchase in a town that would not have and/or enforce any sort of beautification ordinances. I would also think current residents that do try to maintain a decent yard and home exterior would be upset at the city's lack of effort to clean up the neighborhoods. These residents' property values are suffering in an already depressed economy.
Ione was never the gemstone of Amador County, but it certainly was not the lump of coal either - it's getting lumpy. I know this city may have more on its plate than keeping its yards up, but what about when that prospective buyer of that $400,000 home in Castle Oaks decides to take a quick tour of the closest neighborhood? Ouch!