Properties Ongoing Nightmare for Du Quoin

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ The mosquito-infested grass stands tall on much of the Joyce Poole and John Bandura properties in the vicinity of North Linden and West Cole Streets on the city's west side--a full week after Mayor John Rednour told all departments to do whatever it takes to "get it taken care of."

Poole confronted complainant Doug Toney after she tried to hand mow what Toney calls "a strip" of the grass that partially hides a listing trailer and sacks of debris that dot the property.

"The Poole property was cut," said public works director Dale Spencer this morning. But, Toney says it was Poole that worked on it. "We have been trying to serve Bandura (who lives in Chicago) with papers, but we can't find anyone who can serve him," said Spencer.

For Toney, his thought is to declare the issue an immediate health and safety problem and get the properties mowed. After all, the city mowed the properties last year under court authority. What's changed?

Spencer said he is contacting street superintendent Jerry Morgan today about having the remaining uncut properties mowed. With storms last night and more rain forecast for today and Thursday, mowing may have to be put off until things dry out. Rain is a problem for communities all across Southern Illinois trying to keep up with property maintenance.

Toney said the problem in that neighborhood goes beyond grass mowing. "Ms. Poole came over to my house last night and asked me if I was Doug Toney and if I was the one complaining. I wouldn't tell her who I was," he said. "I asked her about a trash sack (on the property). She told me there was a dead cat in it," The property includes a trailer hidden by tall weeds, trees and poison ivy. Off and on the property has been littered with debris of all kinds.

Over the years, Poole has played "hide and seek" with the city over the property through a number of convoluted ownership and contract for deep arrangements. It has been a nightmare for city attorney Aaron Atkins to keep track of it.

Bandura's situation is different. He owns his property, no longer lives here and is hard to serve court papers on.

The City of Du Quoin has a well-define protocol for giving notice to homeowners about tall grass and property maintenance issues.

What the City Ordinance Says

-- Weeds, grass, unhealthful growths and noxious matter may not exceed eight inches in height.

-- If in violation, the owner will be notified in person, by mail or a posting on the property of the violation. These violations may be distributed by the property maintenance officer, health inspector, or any Du Quoin police officer. Owners have ten days after receipt of written notice, or five days for other notices, to comply.

-- Failure or refusal to comply authorizes the Du Quoin Police Department to pay for the removal of the weeds, grass, unhealthful growths, etc.

-- Once removal is complete, the cost thereof, plus 6% interest per annum from date of completion, shall be charged to the owner of the property on their next regular tax bill, if not paid by the owner prior to the tax bill.