MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Board of Health held its monthly meeting on Wednesday evening. Some major items on the agenda were an administrative review of a fine due to violation of the smoking ban, solid waste nuisances and two residences possibly unfit for human habitation.
Representatives of the Fraternal Order of Eagles were present to appeal a fine that was issued by the Knox County Department of Health for smoking violations. Trustee Rick Burson spoke on behalf of the order. Assistant prosecutor Jennifer Springer was present at the hearing and advised Burson of the order’s rights to have an attorney present for the hearing.
Burson said that the Eagles were appealing the fine because they do not provide a smoking environment. Furthermore, he asked why the Eagles were fined when no individual was cited for violating the smoking ban. Director of Environmental Health at the health department, Brian Benick, said that after receiving a complaint of a smoking violation, he conducted an investigation at the Eagles. Upon entering the club, he said he noticed a very strong smell of smoke. Nate Overholt, who accompanied Benick on the inspection, testified that he found a beer can with cigarette ashes on it.
Burson said that his organization was upset because of the anonymous nature of the complaints and also that no physical evidence of smoking was collected at the club. “Basically, we can be anonymously turned in, you don’t have to see anyone smoke, and you don’t have to have any evidence, but we’re guilty?” asked Burson. “Well, that’s the way the law is set up,” replied Benick.
After some further discussion of the investigation, Burson talked more about the situation. “I’m not going to deny that people were smoking,” said Burson, “but not with our permission.” Board member Lee Rhoades said that the board now had two options, to uphold or dismiss the fine against the Eagles. A motion was made to dismiss the fine, and it passed 5-2, with Rhoades and Dr. L. Keith Plocki dissenting.
The board then addressed a solid waste nuisance at 6783 Johnsville Road in Hilliar Township. The owner of the property, Donald Semon, was present. The nuisance report, read by Health Commissioner Dennis Murray, stated that inspectors had reported piles of demolition debris, tires and many old cars, some of which were owned by Jack Hubbard.
Semon spoke and said that some of the debris had been removed after notices of complaint. However, Semon also testified that he was in the midst of filing for bankruptcy and that he had been told not to remove the cars on the property. There was also discussion of tire removal services. Semon said that he would have his bankruptcy attorney contact Springer to discuss details the vehicle removal.
Hubbard was also present, and said that he would begin removal of his vehicles as soon as the weather and the condition of the ground improved. Finally, Plocki made a motion to allowing 60 days for the property to be cleaned up. The motion was approved unanimously.
The board also addressed the residence located at 12408 Cotton St. in Howard Township. The owner of the property, James Hawkins, was present, and Michelle Farmer, his fiancee, spoke on his behalf.
Farmer said that a fire had damaged the building three years ago, but because there was no insurance on the building, they were having problems securing funds to begin work. However, Farmer said that something will be done as soon as money is procured for construction and repairs.
Plocki asked if the house was secure so that no children could inadvertently get inside the structure, and learned that it was. Farmer said that something should happen within three months, and that she would be willing to keep in touch with Benick, members of the board and the township trustees and update them on progress.
Howard Township Trustee Clarence Griffith was present at the meeting and said that complaints about the structure had been brought by neighbors, and that the house was still structurally sound. After some discussion, the board made a motion to declare the residence unfit for human habitation, which passed unanimously. With the approval of this motion, the board turned the situation over to the township government for more efficient communication between the parties.
Other items at the meeting included:
•Springer advised the board to continue to send certified letters to the owner of the property at 11337 Armentrout Road in Berlin Township. Several letters have been sent over the course of a year with no response. Springer advised the board to try more letters over the next month and bring up the item at next month’s meeting.
•The board unanimously approved a motion declaring the residence at 12408 Ridgeview Court in Howard Township to be unfit for human habitation. According to Benick, there were holes in the roof of the residence and a tree had fallen on the building collapsing one corner of it.
•The board unanimously approved the following contracts: The 2008 senior wellness contract; Susan Miglin for the Home Health Program; the Morrow County Board of Health to provide sewage treatment site inspections.
•The board unanimously approved the purchase of new dental software for the dental clinic.
•The board unanimously approved Lee Rhoades as the health board president for the 2008-09 term.
•The board unanimously approved Laura Haberman as board president pro-tem for the 2008-09 term.
