Scio mayor, council address heated complaint over junk property citations

During the Oct. 22 village council meeting, Mayor James Clark addressed a three-page letter from a homeowner who took exception to a News-Herald article published Oct. 17 about derelict properties discussed by council. The article had been accompanied by a photo of one of the properties in question.

In the letter, the homeowner questioned why other residents with trash on their properties were not similarly cited. The homeowner also noted that the adjoining village-owned property contains junk and said it was unclear who was responsible for it. Additional complaints mentioned speeding in town and “dirty needles” at the park. The homeowner stated they had not received a notice about junk violations.

Clark, however, said letters were sent to that homeowner and others with similar issues. He emphasized that the village did not place any debris near the private property.

The letter was combative at times and contained profanity, with the owner inviting Clark to visit the property and identify what needed to be removed. The homeowner wrote, “None of that junk is associated with me,” but did not exonerate her husband, adding, “That doesn’t mean his mess is my mess.”

Clark responded in writing, noting that a previous cleanup attempt about a year ago was halted after workers were threatened. “We have sent a letter before and attempted to actually come clean it up about a year ago and were met by a very angry man throwing threats at people, so we told the company doing the cleanup to stop,” Clark said.

He added that there is also a trailer on Scio property and that the homeowners do not have garbage service. A camper on the property is reportedly filled with refuse. Clark said he contacted the sheriff’s office, which told him multiple deputies could be sent if the village provides one week’s notice before another cleanup attempt.

Councilmember Jeanne Edwards expressed disbelief at the homeowner’s claim of not receiving a notice.

“Why does somebody have to tell you to clean the place up?” she said.

After council reviewed the letter and photos, further discussion led to several motions to send additional letters to property owners concerning property cleanup.