MOUNT VERNON — The old middle school at 301 N. Mulberry St. has formally been declared a nuisance, and the owner has been given 21 days to clean it up or face possible court proceedings. The Knox County Board of Health took the action at its meeting Wednesday night.
The Ohio Revised Code states, in part, that “when a building is, in the opinion of the board, in a condition dangerous to life or health, the board may declare it a public nuisance and order it to be removed, abated or otherwise improved by the owner, agent or other person having control thereof or responsible for such condition, and may prosecute him for the refusal or neglect to obey such order.” Health officials cited the condition of the building, the length of time the building has been in this condition without improvement and the close proximity to a heavily populated area as reasons for issuing the board order.
Problems have been ongoing at the site for several years. The health department became involved in 2003 in response to a complaint received from the Mount Vernon Police Department. At the time, a man was found living in the building with about 12 dogs, and there was extensive garbage and fecal accumulation, with no running water or working toilet.
In the summer of 2004, asbestos was found in the building, and later in 2004, a fire did major damage to a portion of the building. The Mount Vernon Dilapidated Buildings Commission has tried to get the owner to comply with preventing unauthorized entry and to board up windows, but he has not done so. He has been cited in Municipal Court a number of times for failure to maintain property.
Health officials said an inspection of the building was conducted Dec. 20, 2006, at which time “significant pigeon harborage” was found. Ramps and jumps for skateboarding and bicycling were found inside, large piles of debris were throughout the building and there were large holes in the floor. Moss and mushrooms were found growing inside the building as a result of water damage through the broken windows, and the garbage from the previous tenant, as well as asbestos material, was still present.
The health department is waiting a final ruling from Judge Otho Eyster in regard to a solid waste nuisance on Columbus Road. The complaint was heard in Common Pleas Court on Nov. 29, 2006, at which time Eyster allowed the owner another 21 days to clean up the property before a site visit was conducted. The visit was conducted Jan. 19.
Brian Benick, director of environmental health services, said the Hong Kong Buffet has been having good inspections.
“They had one that was a little shaky, but we jumped right on it,” he said.
Discussion followed regarding the merits of publicly posting results of restaurant inspections. Methods suggested included posting them on the health department’s Web site, posting them on the door of the establishment or printing them in the newspaper. Dr. Keith Plocki said such postings would serve as a positive motivator for food service establishments to attain and maintain high ratings.
Reviewing the statistics report, it was noted the number of unwed mothers increased from 2005 to 2006.
“The national numbers are going up, and we are definitely reflecting that trend,” said Pam Palm, public information officer.
Palm said that of the 397 births in Knox County in 2006, 177 were to unwed mothers.
“That’s about 45 percent,” she said.
She also noted that the teen births declined in 2006 at 22, compared to 48 in 2005.
In other business, the board:
•Approved renewal of contracts with the Alcohol & Drug Freedom Center of Knox County for tobacco grant programming, and with the Delaware County General Health District as part of the immunization grant. Both contracts are effective Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.
•Plocki commended the work of Vaughn Anderson, epidemiologist for the health department. Plocki said that in working with infection control personnel at Knox Community Hospital, they have been “very impressed” with Anderson.
•Went into executive session to discuss litigation, with no further action being taken.