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Conflict grows in Coldwater
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| By: Amber Holcomb, Page Editor |
March 09, 2010 |
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Coldwater's board meetings are becoming quite heated.
In a continuing effort to clean up the city of Coldwater, Alderwoman Carolyn Cobb wants to put into effect a procedure to clean up nuisance properties, so that all city officials are on the same page.
At Coldwater's March 2 meeting, Cobb asked that all property owners in violation of the city's nuisance ordinance be sent a notification of violation by mail before they are cited for the violation.
According to MS Code 21-19-11, once a municipality has deemed a property a menace to public health, safety and welfare of the community, notice of the violation is to be sent to the owner of the property two weeks prior to the date of a public hearing, which will determine what action should be taken to clean the property.
If the municipality cleans up the nuisance, they in turn charge the owner of the property for the actual cost of clean up, and can also charge up to a $1,500 penalty or half of the actual cost of the clean up. Cities can give a warning, but are not required by law to do so.
According to Alderman Vernon Jackson, some property owners have been notified they are in violation of the city's code; however, to the best of his knowledge, there has been no follow up on these properties, he said.
Alderwoman Donzella Jefferies said that some nuisance property owners have been warned in the past but have been cited for it recently, while other property owners have been warned recently when they should have already been given a warning.
Mayor Jesse Edwards responded that an "ordinance is the law of the town, and that the Police enforce the ordinance."
Another part of the city that is being looked at as a nuisance is a pile of dirt located on a park next to the Cultural Center.
Several Alderman have expressed a desire to get the park cleaned up for the upcoming spring and summer seasons, so that children can play there.
Mayor Edwards stated that the city is looking at spreading the dirt by the fire department; however the city is awaiting approval on some grants that will allow them to move the dirt and level the field.
Cobb also relayed complaints from citizens about the city's new trash service, saying that the workers are not picking up trash which falls out of the cans. She has also received complaints that trash pick up is not consistent from week to week.
Edwards responded that they had already addressed the issue, and that the transition would "take time."
When Cobb expressed concerns over the number of pot holes in the city's streets, Edwards said that asphalt could not be purchased right now because the plants were not open.
"Anyone here know of one open let us know, we can get some asphault," he said.
Cobb had distributed a letter to the mayor and the other board members, detailing some of her concerns.
Among the issues in the letter, dated February 25, were having town clerk Mary Jackson submitting a budget summary each month along with the claims docket; getting the agenda and other paperwork to the board members on the Friday before the Tuesday meeting; and having each city department give a monthly report.
Alderman Harold Davis said he thought that Cobb's concerns were valid and would help the board be better prepared, but Mayor Edwards said, "Don't send me no letter," showing his displeasure.
All board members were present for the meeting.
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©The Democrat 2010
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