Laurel considering nuisance ordinance

Local News

Discussion

July 25, 2008

Anonymous The Times-Tribune Fri Jul 25, 2008, 10:01 AM EDT

By Brad Hicks / Staff Writer

A number of Laurel County citizens were present at Thursday’s fiscal court meeting to ask the county to create an ordinance addressing nuisance properties.

Floyd Gilbert, who lives in the Sunny Meadows subdivision near Levi Jackson Park, was the first to speak on the issue. Gilbert said an abandoned lot near his subdivision poses a danger to residents. There is not only a mound of garbage on the lot, but he said copperhead snakes have been spotted there as well.

“There’s kids around there,” Gilbert said. “They got a lot of junk there and weeds.”

Gilbert says he rarely sees the property owner.

Magistrate Tom Baker has both visited the lot and spoken with its owner a couple of times about its cleanup.

“I’ve been out there several times, Judge, and they’ve got a legitimate gripe,” Baker said.

According to Alice Stone, the area near her home more closely resembles a scrap yard than a lawn.

“There’s almost a whole block of trailers and cars in pieces,” Stone said. “It’s a mess.”

Jerry Elam and Boyd Helton, residents of the Woods Bend subdivision, also addressed the court on the need for an ordinance that would force owners to clean properties posing a public nuisance.

“We’re just here to reinforce that the county does need a nuisance ordinance,” said Elam, who was applauded by citizens after speaking to the court. “It’s something that really needs to go forward.”

Elam said county residents have to pay taxes on properties near these nuisance areas based on values that are estimated higher by the property value administrator, but lower by realtors.

Elam asked for a show of hands of those who thought an ordinance was needed, and citizens present unanimously raised them.

“The only way around a lot of these problems addressed to this fiscal court is to go ahead with the nuisance ordinance,” Elam said.

Although an ordinance was discussed at last month’s fiscal court meeting, no action was taken then or Thursday night.

Laurel County Judge-Executive Lawrence Kuhl said magistrates are still reviewing the recently adopted London city ordinance pertaining to vacated properties that pose health and safety concerns.

Kuhl also said a draft of a possible county ordinance, which is being written by County Attorney Elmer Cunnagin, needs to be as thorough as possible. Kuhl is hopeful a draft will be ready to present to the court at August’s fiscal court meeting.

“We’re hoping to have that done and bring it back to the court for the next meeting,” Kuhl said.

MORE TO COME

The Laurel County Fiscal Court also discussed former sheriff Gene Hollen’s 2005 tax audit, and the current sheriff department’s budget during their meeting. See Saturday’s Times-Tribune for more.

Text Only

Local News

Police search for suspect in highway beating
It was called by some as “road rage,” but Barbourville Police say last Saturday evening’s fight at a city intersection was definitely an assault. And they are still looking for the man who police say threw the first punch.

May 24, 2012
Woman gets five years for drugs
In U.S. Federal Court Wednesday, Heather A. Collins, who was called by Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove as a “kind of leader for the group,” was sentenced to five years after using prescription forms to acquire various drugs.

May 24, 2012
Father, son rearraigned for meth charges
A son and father were rearraigned Wednesday afternoon in U.S. District Court in London.

May 24, 2012
Hounds hold on
Corbin Coach Rob Ledington rolled the dice after his Redhounds took a 6-0 lead, but it paid off with an 8-7 win over Whitley County as Corbin advanced to the 50th District Championship tonight with an ace up their sleeve.

May 23, 2012 1 Photo
Drugs suspected in fatal Knox County crash
Drug use may have been a factor in a crash Monday in Knox County in which an 11-year-old boy was killed, according to Kentucky State Police Post-10 Harlan Public Affairs Officer Trooper Shane Jacobs and Sgt. Jimmy Young.

May 23, 2012
Marie Rader wins 89th Rep. District Primary
Republican Marie Rader won the primary election for the 89th District House of Representatives.

May 23, 2012
Barton wins another circuit court clerk term
Whitley County voters went with experience when it came to electing the next circuit court clerk, choosing incumbent Gary Barton, according to unofficial election results.

May 23, 2012
Bunch victor in 82nd House District
For incumbent State Representative Regina Petrey Bunch, the votes came in bunches Tuesday night.

May 23, 2012
Voter turnout higher than expected
The election day ran fairly smooth in Whitley, with the exception of several precincts losing power briefly and a few complaints regarding signs being too close to polling places.

May 23, 2012
Kenneth S. Stepp to face Hal Rogers in fall
Two Democrats, Kenneth S. Stepp, of Clay County, and Micheal Ackerman, of Rowan County, running for the Fifth Congressional District ran a heads-together race in the 30-county district.

May 23, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Laurel considering nuisance ordinance

Site Map

Contact Us