Pubdate: Tue, 30 Oct 2007
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: James D. Godfrey

GROW-OP COVERAGE APPLAUDED BY READER

Grow-ops and the consuming public truly are at odds and I wanted to 
applaud The Windsor Star's Home Section for publishing Joe 
Montaleone's insights into house buying on Oct. 20.

Star Justice Reporter Sarah Sacheli wrote a news piece on a judge 
handing out a harsh sentence to a Woodbridge, Ont., woman who used a 
Windsor home as a marijuana grow house, just days after Montaleone's 
insights were published. Sacheli's news piece on Oct. 23, makes it 
clear society is no longer going to sit idly by and watch our 
precious homes and neighbourhood's assets destroyed by the criminally 
sophisticated; we have grown uneasy with grow-ops.

Montaleone pointed out in his real estate piece that homes that have 
been utilized as grow-ops have usually had significant changes made 
to the houses' infrastructures, which generally means the houses 
become mouldy and uninhabitable for future residents because of the 
need to keep the plants drenched with water. He also pointed out that 
these houses can be found in any area of the city. Thus, these houses 
are not necessarily very good buys despite whatever sale prices are 
advertised depending upon what type of "reconditioning" is required 
to bring the buildings back "up to code."

I applaud The Windsor Star and its efforts through their vigilance in 
bringing about a greater level of consumer awareness, particularly 
when it involves the purchasing of a "big ticket" item such as a home 
and the subsequent protection of that purchase through insurance.

James D. Godfrey

Amherstburg
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