As President Reagan famously quipped in the 1984 presidential debate, “There you go again.” Once again, L.A. Parker has used the pages of The Trentonian to present a one-sided narrative, neglecting to seek comment or clarification from the City’s Administration. His articles continue to reflect a narrow perspective that misrepresents the ongoing efforts to revitalize our city and support those facing housing challenges. First, let me reiterate the City of Trenton’s unwavering commitment to improving our housing initiatives. The New Beginnings Housing Pilot Program was conceived to address the significant issue of abandoned properties and provide a pathway to homeownership for individuals with limited resources. Given the abundance of abandoned houses in our city, taking the risk of trying something new was necessary and important for Trenton’s future. While the program has faced challenges—including unexpected delays—I remain committed to learning from these experiences and improving our future housing projects. I have taken full responsibility for the shortcomings and have already expressed the need for adjustments in my recent discussions with the City Council. To be clear, the funding allocated for the renovations on the property criticized in L.A. Parker’s articles was spent responsibly, and much of the necessary work has already been completed. This includes major repairs such as a new roof, updated plumbing, electrical services, and the installation of a new heating system. Additionally, new windows, siding, and an updated electric service panel are now in place, along with numerous other improvements to bring the property up to standard. The challenge of renovating abandoned houses—rather than demolishing them—is immense. Each property is unique, requiring significant resources to restore. No two houses are alike, and the work is complex. As with any large project, delays are often unavoidable. Yes, there have been delays, many of which were caused by factors beyond the City’s control. For instance, the participant faced her own housing challenges, which led to changes in the contractor’s scheduling. Moreover, unforeseen issues arose when the contractor discovered that the main sewer line needed to be replaced, and special arrangements were required for the installation of an alternate utility meter due to the unique characteristics of the property. Despite these setbacks, we are confident that the work will be completed in the near future. While I understand that critique and transparency are vital, it is equally important that we approach this situation with empathy for those we are trying to serve. It is disheartening that L.A. Parker’s articles focus on sensationalizing the program’s challenges without acknowledging the progress being made or the ongoing efforts to resolve issues. This program was never intended to fail. On the contrary, it was designed as a win-win: providing stable housing for participants, creating work for local contractors, and putting rehabilitated properties back on the City’s tax rolls. I urge the public to consider the broader picture. Creating and managing initiatives like this is never easy. We are working to fix a system that has been broken for decades, and while we have faced our fair share of challenges, we remain committed to moving forward with the lessons we’ve learned. I look forward to collaborating with the City Council and other stakeholders to find alternative solutions to address the abundance of abandoned city properties. Finally, I want to emphasize that the work at this house is still ongoing. We are actively working to complete all necessary renovations. The contractor has provided a punch list of completed work, which includes critical systems and structural repairs. We are optimistic that the project will soon be completed, with remaining tasks such as finishing the flooring, installing kitchen cabinets, and completing final painting. I am proud of the work we have done, and I remain hopeful that we can build on this experience to create more opportunities to address Trenton’s housing needs. In the meantime, I welcome continued dialogue and input on how we can improve our efforts and better serve our residents. W. Reed Gusciora, Mayor, City of Trenton