By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Decatur’s Board of Works and Safety has cut an Ossian man some slack, provided, that is, he gets his property here cleaned up.
Donald Dale (photo), the Ossian resident, owns the property at 1103 Angus Dr. which has been a headache for code enforcement officials for months.
The home is a rental property and, unable to get the residents to do anything meaningful in the way of a cleanup, the city has issued fines which have now totaled around $6,000.
There are liens against the property which has been assessed several hundreds dollars for work city employees did to mow grass, remove weeds, etc.
Dale appeared at the board’s latest meeting and said he was mostly unaware of what was going for some time. He said he paid one $410 fine but “was mostly unaware of anything behind that.”
He also said the home’s tenants had been several months behind in their rent and have now been evicted.
In asking for “a break,” Dale said he is currently maintaining the property.
City Attorney Anne Razo said the city followed all legal policies and procedures in assessing the fines and liens.
“I didn’t ignore it, I wasn’t snubbing my nose at the city, I just wasn’t aware,” Dale responded. “I’m just asking you for some grace.”
Asked what he planned to do with the property – which is a stone’s throw from the rear of the Decatur Church of God and its playground area, Dale said he plans to “fix it up and sell it.”
Board member Tyler Fullenkamp said he would be willing to forgive half the fines if Dale got the place cleaned up – including holes in the roof of an outbuilding – within three months. Board member Craig Coshow and Building/Zoning Superintendent Curt Witte quickly agree.
“I appreciate it … thank you,” Dale responded.
2 FOR 2: It was 2 for 2 in cleanup agreements for code enforcement.
Earlier in the board’s meeting, Todd Lee said he will clean up a property at 213 Rugg St. which is owned by his ex-wife. She lives in Huntington and currently has a broken back, he said.
There have been “numerous issues” at the home, according to Brad Roe of the building/zoning department.
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