Neighbors Start Petition Against Hoarder
This video is no longer available.
BOLIVAR, Tenn- Close to 200 residents in a Hardeman County community signed a petition, hoping the county forces one of their neighbors to clean up her yard. “It’s a sore eye to the community,” said George Sargent, who lives close to the home, on Dixie Hill Road. Neighbors said the woman, in her 50’s, has lived in the house alone for more than 15 years; but within the last seven years various objects and trash has accumulated in her yard. County officials sent the homeowner a letter giving her 30 days to clean up, or they would take action against her. Two months later, the homeowner has still not cleaned. “I thought I would see her cleaning up that night,” said Dana Borders, another neighbor. But instead of getting rid of clutter, neighbors said the homeowner added more to the mess; and because there is no ordinance requiring residents in the county to clean up their yards, officials are unable to intervene. With more people signing the petition, neighbors hope local officials will consider creating an ordinance to stop this type of hoarding. According to Mayor Willie Spencer, he is looking into legal actions that can be taken, and creating an ordinance would be the last resort.
