BURKET – Vicki Scott has lived in Burket for 25 years and she said never had a problem with cockroaches.
Now, Scott and neighbors of hers have spent money on exterminators because they say a home that was previously condemned by the county health department still has a cockroach infestation.
Scott, who lives on North Buffalo Street in Burket, said that she believes the health department failed in its duties after it originally condemned a property at 109 W. Center St.
The home is owned by Devon Borkholder as a rental property.
According to Bruce Hammer, environmental scientist for the Kosciusko County Health Department, the home was condemned June 27 because of cockroaches and safety issues.
The home was so overrun with cockroaches that Hammer said he didn’t even walk into the home and saw so many cockroaches that he condemned it.
The home was reinspected July 13 and remained condemned.
Hammer returned to the home Aug. 24 and after inspection decided to remove the condemned sign.
Hammer said there is a perception that once a building is condemned that it must be torn down.
That is not the case.
Hammer said once the issues that caused the condemned status are addressed, the home can have people live in it again.
Scott contends that the cockroach problem was never fully taken care of.
She’s stated that recently her and a neighbor have gone by the house at night, shined a flashlight and saw cockroaches scurry.
Hammer said that his most recent inspection was at 9 p.m., he arrived before Borkholder and saw no cockroaches.
Hammer also gave neighbors a stack of his business cards and told them to give them to anyone who rents the Borkholder property.
But Scott and neighbors still have cockroach problems and tonight will meet at the Burket Fire Station to discuss it.
Scott said that she has spent $450 on exterminator services and that other neighbors have spent money as well.
“Some neighbors are elderly and they can’t afford to get their houses done,” said Scott.
