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Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

Residents concerned over blighted properties in the city attended a meeting of the Loyall City Council on Monday. In response to complaints about weeds and grass growing around abandoned property, council members said they had no objection to others helping with the problem.

Johnny Street resident Brandon Moses requested permission to cut weeds growing on the late Ronnie Oaks property near his home. He said the abandoned property is an “eyesore” to other homes on that street and poses a danger for snakes in the high grass.

“I’d just like to know if there is any objection to me cleaning this property up a little bit,” said Moses.

Longworth said Moses has done “a tremendous job” in cleaning his property up on Johnny Street and he admires the young man for wanting to help beautify the city by volunteering his time to help others.

“Does anyone have any objections to Moses going in and cutting the weeds on this property?” asked Longworth. “I, personally, don’t have any. I asked our attorney and he said all we had to do was write a letter to the registered owner of the property, who is now deceased, and if that letter is returned work can be done to clean the area up. We can’t tell individuals to go in and do the work, but if they come in and sign a release in case they get hurt while on the property that clears the city of any liability. It would be a shame to let property grow up like this one is and then people in the community complain about someone going in and cutting the weeds for everyone’s safety.”

Longworth said there are a great number of heirs in the Oaks property and it would be a long drawn-out process to locate and contact all the heirs involved, while in the meantime the property continues to be an “eyesore.”

“It just makes everything on that street look bad,” said Moses.

Chad Street resident Kenneth Blanton inquired about water standing on his street. Longworth told Blanton he and plumber Jim Shoemaker had marked the water lines and will begin work on drains within two weeks.

“It’s gotten worse over the past three years because the street is slowly sinking,” said Blanton.

A complaint was heard about rocks falling from cliffs onto Black Bottom Road. Longworth noted the lower portion of the roadway is owned by the county, some is owned by CSX and there are also private landowners in that area.

In other action, the city:

* Approved a resolution supporting a full service veterans facility be built in the 5th Congressional District;

* Held second reading of Insurance Premium Tax Ordinance and Ad Valorem Tax Ordinance, which were both approved;

* Praised Harlan County Jailer Curt Stallard and his staff for their participation in the city’s recent drug roundup. Noted if not for Stallard’s help, the operation could not have been as successful as it was;

* Noted a check from the Loyall Alumni Association was received as a donation to the city to be used for the school or playground equipment;

* Resident Owen Noe requested a letter from the city stating council had refused to reimburse him for his costs in removing a tree on city property near where he lives. Longworth told him he would contact the city’s attorney and ask that he compile a letter stating council members had voted not to reimburse him and the reasons why.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@heartlandpublications.com