Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - For nearly two years, Wayne and Beth Landis have put up with what they call an eyesore in their back yard.
Well, actually, in their neighbor's back yard. They think they've been patient long enough and want the Mentone Town Council to do something about the problem.
Several letters have been sent to the Loren Tridle residence on Monroe Street since the "instant forest" appeared in his yard in December 2000. For a while a portion of the landscaping was on a town right of way. Part of that has been cleaned up, according to town officials. However, there is a mound of dirt with mostly dead vegetation in Tridle's back yard and, when the Landises want to sit in their back yard, they have to contend with looking at the overgrown grass and shrubs and with swarms of mosquitoes possibly thriving in the growth.
"I'm tired of looking at that," said Beth Landis of South Walnut Street. "There comes a time that enough is enough."
Town attorney Larry Beeson will research which ordinance(s), if any, are being violated and yet another letter will be sent notifying Tridle that the property must be brought into compliance with town standards.
If the notice goes unanswered, the town is prepared to clean up the property and bill Tridle for the employees' time.
In other business, the council tabled passage of a franchise ordinance that would bring a second cable television provider to town. A representative of Insight Communications attended the June meeting requesting permission to come to town.
Discussion Monday night of the proposed service left many unanswered questions, and the council will request a representative attend the August meeting before any decision is made.
In other business, the council:
• Witnessed the swearing in of Gary Craft as a full-time deputy marshal for the town. Beeson performed the swearing-in ceremony.
• Approved up to $2,000 from the park budget for running a new drain tile from the ditch to the fence line on the west side of the park property.
• Approved a quote for curbing and sidewalks contingent upon price per yard for the concrete. J.W. German submitted quotes for three jobs on a per-job basis. The council agreed that if the per yard cost is within 10 percent of what has been paid in years past, then the work can be completed. J.W. German was the only contractor to submit bids for the work.
The Mentone Town Council meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month. Council members are Ed Rock and Mike Diemer. A replacement for Ed Lamar, who resigned from the council last month, is expected to be named by the end of this week.
