BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Slow progress at multiple nuisance properties and a growing number of illegal trash dumps dominated discussion at a recent Martin County Solid Waste Board meeting. Officials weighed the possibility of condemnation and debated how far the county can legally go to address deteriorating and hazardous sites.

Code enforcement officer Tony Preece told the board, “People are making progress.”

Moore property

Preece turned to a property owned by Herbie Moore in Beauty.

“He’s incarcerated,” Preece reported. “He has been sent two letters, and no response to those.”

Board Chairman Greg Murphy warned that the Moore property poses a growing danger.

“The way I see it on that one over there, there’s a big swimming pool,” Murphy said. “The house is falling in, he’s incarcerated, and there is nothing else that they’re going to do or even acknowledge it. I vote that we have the county go in and tear it down and fill in the pool.”

Board member Deresa Macdonald said she agreed in principle but questioned the process.

“If they can do that,” Macdonald said. “I don’t know what the process would be.”

Assistant County Attorney Lynette Muncy advised that demolishing the structure or filling in the pool would require formal condemnation.

“That’s going to require fiscal court approval,” she explained. “It’s going to require a title search to see who owns the property because that is essentially a taking of their property.”

Macdonald asked whether the board could at least recommend that the county begin the condemnation process.

“Yes, you can do that,” Muncy replied. She added that incarceration complicates the matter with the requirement of a guardian. “That would be another expense.”

Before any action could proceed, Muncy added, the board would need to verify ownership through a title search.

Later in the meeting, the Moore property was again the topic, with members emphasizing the urgency of addressing safety hazards.

Macdonald said the board wanted to take the responsible course of action.

Preece told board members that he discussed the situation with Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty, who stressed the need to act because of the risk the property poses to children.

Muncy reiterated that any action involving the swimming pool would require formal condemnation proceedings, including fiscal court approval and a title search.

When Cox asked separately about Moore’s Trailer Park in Lovely, Preece said, “No progress” at Moore’s.

Ongoing problems

Murphy raised concerns about a deteriorating house near the Dollar Store, noting that conditions have continued to decline. Cox identified the property as belonging to “the Stacy lady,” a deceased resident.

Preece reported that cleanup efforts had begun but quickly reversed. He acknowledged that enforcement would likely be necessary and added that Farm Bureau was exploring a possible purchase.

“They made progress,” said Preece. “They cleaned that up and started right back again.”

The board next discussed a property on Collins Creek. Preece said he has been in contact with the owner, who mentioned the possibility of signing the property over to the city. However, he questioned whether the city would have funding to clean it up.

Members also discussed a dilapidated doublewide trailer behind the Stacy property and another at Bill Stepp Bottom, which Macdonald said appears close to collapse. Preece said he has contacted the residents at those locations.

Murphy referenced Ricky and Teresa Burgess on Buck Creek, which appeared on a list provided by Preece. He also mentioned McCoy’s junkyard in Beauty.

“He told me he’s supposed to have someone come in there and crush those cars,” Preece said of McCoy’s. “I’ll follow up with him.”

Cox asked whether Preece had issued citations along Route 2032.

“I haven’t cited anyone,” Preece said. “I’ve talked to some people and told them that they are going to have to start picking their stuff up.”

Board member Marci Hanson reported a complaint about a property on Gordon Maynard Road off Old Route 3, adding to the board’s growing list of nuisance sites.

Illegal dumping sites

The board also discussed illegal trash dumps, including locations on Camp Branch, near the foot of Turkey Hill, a residence on Route 292 in Hode, and Inez Hill.

“I bet they have three loads of tires that are going to end up in the river or somewhere,” Preece said of the Route 292 site.

Road and Bridge Superintendent Eric Phelps reminded residents that a tire trailer is routinely available at the Road & Bridge Department.

“There is always a tire trailer parked at the Road & Bridge Department where people can dump tires from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” Phelps said.

He recommended calling the county judge’s office at 298-2800 before hauling tires to confirm the trailer is on-site.

“They can bring those to the Road & Bridge Department, and I will make sure those get disposed of free of charge,” Phelps added. “We just need your name and the number of tires you bring.”

Preece also identified a fourth dumping location on Inez Hill, where the owner granted the county government permission to dump only wood products.

“People are bringing household garbage and dumping it there,” he said. “We’re going to put some cameras there and at Camp Branch.”

Phelps mentioned a bright spot in recent cleanup efforts on Buck Creek Mountain.

“It looks pretty good,” he said.