Fillmore's Parkview Apartments need some immediate attention.

The Gazette has received calls about the building's single elevator malfunctioning. The building is home to 53 residents. The elevator has not worked for the past 13 days, and counting, trapping some elderly and disabled residents on the third floor. This elevator has been malfunctioning for years, at the rate, according to one resident, of several times a week for many years. Most recently, repairs are waiting for an inspection from the state.

Recently, one resident had to be carried by Fillmore Firemen, from the second floor, in a bed sheet, using the stairs. Many residents are unable to use the stairs due to various disabilities. Use by others has aggravated existing disabilities. Other residents cannot bring supplies up to their apartments, and cannot walk their dogs. They are virtual prisoners when the elevator doesn't work. On separate occasions, two residents were trapped in the elevator, assisted only after screams for help were heard.

It seems like this building has been a problem for a long time. From the beginning, multiple plumbing problems were an issue. According to some residents this remains a problem. Among numerous deficiencies in the structure are electronic keys that don't work, gate locks that don't work, and doors that by code should be open, but are locked.

In the lounge area are a bank of computers - none of them work. There is no internet as advertized. Some smoke detectors do not work, according to one resident. Lighting in the parking lot is inadequate, with uninvited people gathering there at night.

But the elevator is a main issue. This elevator seems far too small for the size of the building, and there is no freight elevator. Normal deliveries require traversing three flights of stairs.

I don't know what can be done to permanently fix the small elevator and guarantee quick, professional maintenance. I do know that this small, frequently out-of-order, elevator presents (to me) a clear, present, and outrageous fire hazard. Imagine the building, housing 53 residents, facilitating the evacuation of so many people, many elderly and disabled, at the same time, through this small, unreliable elevator! Panic time for those who cannot use the stairs?

Whoever is responsible for managing Parkview Apartments (Buckingham Management?) should have had the common sense to place the elderly and disabled residents on the GROUND FLOOR, where they can be quickly evacuated if need be, and medically serviced without climbing 3 flights of stairs.