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"It was deplorable to think that anyone lived in this house," Pam Kennedy, Warsaw building inspector, said Monday at Warsaw's Building Code Enforcement hearing.
Kennedy was referring to the house at 1926 E. Market St., Warsaw, owned by Thomas and Pat Buskirk. She said the gas line and plumbing were exposed, the furnace vent was clogged, ceilings were deteriorated and all the walls were down to lath. A prior hearing in August ordered external repairs by Oct. 25, Kennedy said, and only a couple of windows had been replaced since then.
Kennedy also said she posted a condemnation on the house Friday.
Hearing Officer Larry Clifford ordered an interior inspection to take place Friday. Clifford also ordered a civil penalty of $1,000 to be enforced if exterior repairs are not made by May 1. A new hearing for this case, including a list of interior violations, will take place before May 1.
Clifford also issued the following orders:
• Deborah Ruch, owner of 1832 Sue St., was fined $1,500 for noncompliance with the Warsaw housing code. If she posts the $1,500 by Jan. 28, she will have until Feb. 21 to make repairs. If the performance bond isn't posted, the house will be demolished on Jan. 28.
• DeWayne and Becky Busz, owners of 633 S. Lake St., were given two months to salvage hardwood floors before the house is professionally demolished on or before March 20.
• Thomas Buskirk, owner of 215 S. Scott St., was fined $500. Clifford postponed the civil penalty until May 1, pending an agreement to complete repairs and schedule and pass an inspection by then.
• Sandra and Dallas Kimes, owners of 113 E. Jefferson St., were given until April 17 to complete repairs on their house. Clifford issued a civil penalty of $1,000, which will be waived if the repairs are made and the inspection is passed.
• Jon Reid, co-owner of 422 W. Main St., was ordered to schedule a demolition of his garage and carport on or after Feb. 12. The cost of repairs greatly exceeds the cost of demolition. Reid was present on behalf of himself and his absent co-owner, Lyle Faulkner.
• Wade Frauhiger, owner of 209 N. Maple St., failed to appear at Monday's hearing. Instead, he sent his attorney, Mark Scheerer. No compliance has taken place since April, Kennedy said, on the violations noted at Frauhiger's property. A new hearing was scheduled for Feb. 21.
• Elbert & Sheila Shepherd, owners of 613 S. Columbia St., were issued a civil penalty of $1,000 if repairs are not made by March 20. Clifford is allowing the Shepherds 60 days to schedule and pass inspection with the agreement to obtain a roof permit. The Shepherds have hired contractor Chris Robinson to complete roof repairs.
• Alan and Diana Kado, owners of 212 N. Cook St., are scheduled for hearing Feb. 21.
• J.C. and Glenda Wood, owners of 509 N. Columbia St., did not appear at the hearing Monday. Clifford issued a civil penalty of $1,000 effective immediately.
