By By LYDIA GRIMES – Features writer
The East Brewton Council meeting became heated Monday night, Sept. 12, when a homeowner from Texas protested the city's possible plans to demolish what they called "an eyesore," the site of a mobile home and house located in the city.
For several months, the city of East Brewton has been revamping its nuisance ordinances. As a part of the process, city officials have been in contact with several property owners, telling them that if they don't clean up, their home will be demolished. Some homes and property have been lying in disrepair since Hurricane Ivan tore through the area last year.
In response to the city's clean-up effort, an East Brewton property owner who lives in Texas visited with the council members Monday evening.
Carolyn Murphy, whose property is located at 107 Solomon Street, disputed that the property was abandoned; stating that although it needed some work, her son was using the trailer parked on the property for storage while he is in the military. The council agreed that if she cleared up some debris, replaced some broken windows and kept the grass mowed, the city would take no action for the time being.
The subject of abandoned houses has been raised at several previous meetings and some members of the council wanted the public to know that they are doing something about it.
Those four houses were located at 105 Cook Street, 101 Simmons Street, 113 Mayo Street and one at 307 Forrest Avenue, which is in progress. Others on the list for possible demolition are located at 109 Mantle Street, 108 Johnson Street, 204 Harold Street, 113 Maddox Street, 408 Florida Street and 902 Andrew Jackson Street.
In other city business: