Cherry Lake couple cooperating

When Perry County Solid Waste Management director Becky Tracy and Cherry Lake property owner David Bowling agreed to meet Tuesday morning to discuss complaints about abandoned vehicles at the house, actually owned by Ladonna Ridgeway, Becky admits to being a little apprehensive.

Neighbors indicated that any time they approached Bowling about his property he was belligerent and threatening.

Tracy went so far as to ask, "Do I need to bring someone with me?"

Not only did Bowling calm her fears, but he and Ladonna were almost--but not quite--inviting.

Tracy walked the property and the whole time Bowling was explaining how things go to be the way they were and how he was trying to turn several wrecked and salvage vehicle into two good vehicle.

He walked Tracy through their lives and agreed that the curb appearance of the property was troubling, but that it would be much improved by this spring. Tracy discussed a reasonable timetable for getting the property back to where it should be and the two settled on a June 1, 2016 target for much of the cleanup. She adds that property maintenance issues at Cherry Lake are NOT unique to Bowling.

Tracy said a lot of her findings will go to the Illinois EPA and copied to various offices and agencies both across the state and in the county.

"You'll get a lot of paperwork," she told Bowling, who added she was surprised by their demeanor and willingness to cooperate as best they can.

Tracy said "unless I am mistaken" they weren't antagonistic in any form or fashion and are going to cooperate with the county and with their neighbors in getting the property back in order. Time will tell, but after Tuesday's meeting things are better.