This is no idle matter to Kathy and Michael, not only are they dedicated advocates for people in need, but they love their home and want to live in the city. Michael's great-grandfather built their house nearly 100 years ago, as well as two other houses on the block. They want to stay in their home and are trying to weave their lives into the fabric of a city.

Yet sometimes, they wonder if they are being foolhardy in pouring any more love and money into this commitment when they find it hard to see a similar commitment from the city. Pressure is mounting to flee to the suburbs before the neighborhoods decline to the point where their safety is jeopardized and property values plummet.

Even still, as we talk, a friend and craftsman works on repairs to the old house. While listening, I'm tempted to relax into the cozy home the Day's have created. It doesn't take a genius to see what a loss it would be to Salisbury if people like Kathy and Michael were to leave. I browse the interior of this magnificent treasure of a house as Kathy starts throwing questions and concerns at me about the whole Landlord Licensing issue, an issue that has nearly as much history to it as her house.

"Why did the Mayor do an apparent 'turn-around' at the last moment, and veto this ordinance from his hospital bed ?" "Do the landlords own the city ?"

"Can city council members who own rental properties be impartial when voting on an ordinance that would mandate yearly inspections?

"Why is there no registry in the city for rental properties ?"

"Is there any hope that a landlord licensing ordinance will ever be passed in Salisbury ?"

Kathy admits her business has taken a back seat these last few weeks to the latest round to secure safe and decent housing for all members of Salisbury's community. She has opened her home for meetings with neighbors and strangers alike. She's on the phone.. rounding up support,off to council meetings to raise these questions.

I can see in her face that this latest defeat is disheartening.

Her impassioned account of the current frustration turns to a depressing view of the future: Not all who rent are poor, but most who are poor do rent. They are not organized, they have no real political influence, and they make no effort to affect legislation.

They will never prevail on their own against those with the power and influence that comes with property. As indidviduals, they can only comply, keep quiet, and keep paying.

Neighborhood decay goes far deeper than the buildings. It reaches into the heart, to feelings of self worth. Living next to houses that are boarded up, or in houses that are cold, with ancient plumbing and even older wiring, slowly drains a person's dignity, and leaves them feeling as worthless as their surroundings.

It really doesn't matter about the latest round of the landlord licensing ordinance. The plot has become twisted with politics and money. It has evolved into a monster of a show that captures our attention from the real story. It's hard to shake the image of the sinister landlord twirling his moustache at the front door. Or of the desperate poor crying "Save me."

I leave the Day's home with questions whirling in my head. The landlord licensing ordinance has become so complex that the threads that lead to any type of answers are knotted tightly. The bottom line is renters will not be able to depend on city law to secure up-to-code housing. Landlords will be able to continue to make a handsome bit of money without being legally called to task to maintain safe property. And valuable city dwellers like Kathy and Michael may decide one day that their city is no longer a safe place to live. So I end with Kathy's greeting question. "Who wins?" Certainly not the City of Salisbury.