County Wants Stricter Enforcement On Eyesores

County officials are asking legislators to provide some tools for stricter enforcement of eyesores out in the county.

Lowe Wilkins of the county Health and Safety Board gave a presentation to the County Commission on enforcement efforts.

But commission members and County Mayor Claude Ramsey said the board needs to be able to have the ability to get the attention of violators so their mess does not detract from neighboring property values.

Mr. Wilkins said the board had agreed to allow one Ooltewah property owner to keep six vacant trailers on his property as long as he boarded them up. But the commission and Mr. Ramsey said that was not acceptable.

County Commissioner Curtis Adams recalled that the commission a couple of years ago tried to clear up a major junk nuisance on Signal Mountain.

Commissioner Adams said, "It was two city blocks of junk with cats everywhere. We ordered him to do everything and he didn't do nothing. I guarantee you the mess is still up there today."

Mr. Wilkins said his office was effective in clearing up a situation in Apison where a kennel operator with St. Bernards had accumulated piles of dog feces.

He said officials were finally to get clearance for the removal of 50 tons of dog waste.

Commissioner Fred Skillern said he would like to see legislation that would allow two thirds of the County Commission to vote to order a nuisance cleaned up. He said if the owner does not clean it up, then the county would go get it done and bill the owner. He said if the owner did not pay the bill, then the property would be ordered sold.

NEWS SOURCE