News From DeWitt City Mayor, Jimmy Black

If I were asked what complaints I get the most, the answer would fall into one of these four categories:

1. Yards that need to be picked up or mowed.

2. Trash in the yard that should be picked up.

3. Vacant and abandoned buildings that need to be torn down.

4. Abandoned vehicles.

The question then becomes “Don’t we have city ordinances that address these concerns?” The answer is yes, we do.

Ordinance No. 741 asks our citizens to remove garbage, cut weeds, mow the grass, and remove other unsightly and unsanitary articles and things upon their property.

Ordinance No. 776 deals with the storage of inoperable motor vehicles; that is vehicles that are on blocks, and either won’t run or are inoperable. There is an exception for derby cars for 30 days.

Ordinance No. 565 provides for the removing of any houses that in the opinion of the City Council, have become dilapidated, unsightly, unsafe, unsanitary, obnoxious, or detrimental to the public welfare.

So, what I am asking our citizens to do is, if you think you might fall into one of these categories then please help us keep our city clean. We would rather you take care of this voluntarily rather than the city to write a warning or a ticket.

I just wanted everyone to know that the city is going to make a renewed effort to enforce these ordinances, but I really need your help. Let’s take a renewed pride in the way our town appears. Thanks in advance for your help.

Thanks,

Jimmy Black, Mayor