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Disabled resident fined $100 a day as property cleanup struggle intensifies with Martin County board
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A disabled Tomahawk resident’s ongoing tussle with the Martin County Solid Waste Board hit a new level of intensity. As of Sept. 5, Larry Oaks is being fined $100 a day until he cleans up his property on Route 40. Despite recent efforts to tidy up smaller items…
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Solid waste board, code officer set out enforcement process
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Code Enforcement Officer Paul McCoy detailed solid waste enforcement procedures during a meeting May 1 of the new Martin County Solid Waste Board. McCoy presented four forms that he, County Attorney Melissa Phelps and Solid Waste Coordinator Eric Phelps worked together to draft: call-in complaint, response…
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Tire disposal nets 922 waste tires
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County netted 922 waste tires during its five-day disposal event April 8-12. Solid waste coordinator Eric Phelps was pleased with the turnout. “We had a good week,” Phelps said. “We took 922 tires out of our community, which we don’t have to worry about circulating or wonder…
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Solid waste board holds inaugural meeting in Inez
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Solid Waste Board held its first-ever meeting April 3 at the government center in Inez, marking a step toward the county’s environmental management. The meeting was a blend of official procedures and heartfelt introductions, laying the groundwork for the board’s future activities. In a unanimous…
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Martin County secures grant to clean up illegal roadside dumps
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County has been awarded a grant of $96,173 to tackle the issue of five illegal roadside dumps. Martin County Solid Waste Coordinator Eric Phelps said Friday that this financial assistance, provided through the Kentucky Division of Waste Management’s Illegal Open Dump Grant Program, will go for cleaning…
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Martin County Fiscal Court adopts controversial solid waste ordinance
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court held a hearing Thursday on its real property tax rate. While many residents attended, none voiced concerns about the tax rate of 11.5 cents per $100 of assessed value adopted by the court. Instead, their primary focus was opposing the proposed solid waste…
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Martin County introduces strict new garbage and nuisance ordinance
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Fiscal Court unveiled a new solid waste and nuisance ordinance in its meeting Thursday. The 22-page ordinance implements stricter fines and penalties for violators, empowers code enforcement officers with extended authority, and establishes a code enforcement board to oversee legal proceedings. Before delving into the first…
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Fletcher records garbage hauler ripping bags open
Fiscal Court will address issue Oct. 21 BY RACHEL DOVE CITIZEN STAFF INEZ — Garbage bags being ripped open by hauler to see what is inside has driven one customer in Martin County to the point of video recording the pickup process. He says it offers proof of what he describes as a “form of…