The city has torn down six structures in the city limits within the last 18 months. (Democrat photo/Ruth Ann Estes)

Many local residents question why more isn't done to fix the problem. Trumann Code Enforcement Officer Gary Anderson knows the answer to that question.

"The people who own these houses and buildings have rights under the law," Anderson said. "These cases sometimes go to court before we are able to resolve them."

It sometimes takes many months to even find owners. "Many owners do not live in town and we have to track down addresses," Anderson said. "Sometimes it is hard to even find out who the actual owner of a property is."

Even when the name of the owner of the property is easily determined, the process of condemning a house and actually demolishing it can take months or years.

A case the city has been pursuing for several years was decided in Trumann District Court on July 2. The city had been asking Jay Parnell, who owns the Old City Café building on 142 North Ozark Street, to tear down the building for some time.

Parnell, a Jonesboro resident, appeared in District Court before Judge Steve Inboden. He was ordered to remove the Old City Café portion of his building to the satisfaction of the Code Enforcement Officer Anderson. He was fined $100 a day with the fine going back to June 1, 2005 and continuing until the building is torn down and the property cleaned up.

The City Café building has been an eyesore and a safety concern for several years. The roof of the building has collapsed. The city condemned the building in 2000. The building consists of the former café location, an old pool hall and the site of a former tanning salon, all owned by Parnell.

Inboden gave Parnell 30 days to tear down the building.

A fourth portion of the building will not be torn down. It is owned by Kenneth Linton of Trumann and is used as an apartment.

Parnell has 30 days to appeal the ruling. Judge Inboden set a $5,000 appeal bond in the case.

The city charged Parnell with a violation of City Ordinance Number 449 which concerns property maintenance. When property in the city is not maintained and is considered a nuisance, the city has the right to condemn such property.

Parnell was also charged with a violation of City Ordinance Number 354 in connection with a lot he owns on Davis Street. He was ordered to mow the lot and clean it up within 30 days.

Code Enforcement Officer Anderson and Mayor Sheila Walters have worked on tearing down dilapidated structures since her term began in January of 2007.

Many times the city crew itself will demolish a house or building in town. In the last year and a half, the city crew has torn down six houses in the city limits. Houses at 513 Harrison, 701 Edgerton, 221 Diamant, 412 Carlson, 516 Lewis and 627 Monroe have been demolished since January.

"The process is a slow one," Walters said. "These things take time because of the legalities involved. Often, we can't move as quickly as we would like to, but that doesn't mean we aren't working on cleaning up the streets of Trumann."