By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
“These are driven by complaints (from neighbors),” Decatur Mayor Dan Rickord said.
“We don’t go looking for them,” added Building/Zoning Superintendent, Curt Witte.
They were referring to the city’s ongoing battle to abate dilapidated buildings, high weeds and grass, junk items around homes, etc.
The comments came after the latest report from Witte and assistant Brad Roe, whose department is in charge of enforcing city codes, at a meeting of the board of works and safety.
Aired for the first time was an apartment house at 233 N. Fourth St. (see photo) owned by Adam Eguia of Decatur. Weeds and vegetation have been a problem and the building is in bad shape, according to Witte.
Some progress is made, then it stops, he added.
The board decided to send Eguia a notice giving him10 days to make some clear improvements.
Adam Ross was given seven days to clean up a property at 127 Fremont Lane; if nothing is done, or not enough, the city will do a cleanup and bill Ross.
Several abatement orders have been sent to Ross, “but we’ve heard nothing from him,” Witte said. Ross had been told to attend the meeting, but didn’t show.
“The neighbors are fit to be tied,” Witte noted.
The third report dealt with ongoing situations at properties at 316 S. 11th St., 221 s. 12th St., and 225 S. 12 St., owned by Aaron and Vickie Ellis.
“Quite a bit of progress” has been made in some areas, but not so much in others,” according to Witte.
He still has not been granted permission from the owners to inspect the interiors of the buildings, and while an inspection warrant was discussed, no such action was taken.
“I need to get inside,” Witte said.
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