Last week, on April 3, 2023, The Chronicle published a letter written by Troy N. Houghtaling Sr. (my uncle) about an "eyesore" property on North Pearl Street. My father and brother both recently moved their things to the property on North Pearl.
Not one single vehicle is leaking any type of fluids whatsoever sitting on that lot. That was a printed lie. That was simply pure and utter fabrication on his part. The letter was written as an avenue to harass my father and brother. We have had problems with Troy harassing other family members for decades. There is not a single family member in my family Troy has not caused some kind of heartache or trouble.
He is also a registered sex offender with the Lewis County Sheriff's Office. I'm particularly upset with the newspaper for allowing a registered sex offender (who myself, father and older brother have all been granted anti-harassment orders against over the years) to paint us in a bad light publicly in front of the community over a personal grudge he carries, nothing we did wrong.
It has been proven time and time again that he harasses and targets other family members. The letter published on April 3 was designed to do just that.
My brother and dad's property on North Pearl Street is well maintained and taken care of. My father and brother have bought fencing curtains for the entire perimeter of the property so no one can look in there. They have bought all the supplies to begin constructing nice flower beds in front of the property to make it look nice. Their conduct has been respectful, lawful and responsible throughout the entire time they have been there.
Earlier last month, Troy Houghtaling filed a frivolous complaint with code enforcement about the property in question and code enforcement came and walked through the entire property. Code enforcement ultimately determined there was no issues there and closed the complaint.
I do not like airing out my family drama here publicly in the newspaper in front of the community. However, after the newspaper allowed for a meritless public attack to be printed in mass against my father and older brother, this is the only way I have to set the record straight. This whole thing was designed to carry out a grudge. Not do the right thing and make the community aware of a derelict property. Hopefully now that the truth is known this will settle the matter.
Bo D. Rupert
Centralia
