Morgan opposes abatement
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, September 3, 2014
An Opp City Council member is loudly protesting the council’s vote Tuesday to abate property on Charles Street.
Councilman TD Morgan raised the issue of multiple of the Charles Street home that is in disrepair, and which the council previously has abated.
There have been multiple complaints about the property.
“The neighbors are complaining,” Morgan said. “They’re calling me. This is my district.”
Morgan requested volunteers to help clean up the residence and bring the home to code.
The property was abated last night, as it was in 2013, and Morgan said he “will not go along with it.”
“I will not go along with abating anybody’s house that is being occupied,” he said. “I don’t care if they have gas, water or electric or anything else. That’s the only place he’s got to live.”
But the owner is now living with a family member and the house is vacant.
The councilman plans to visit the family members’ home to talk to the man about enlisting volunteers to help clean up the property.
“I want to do the right thing,” Morgan said. “I don’t want to take away someone’s house.”
Morgan said he plans to fight to help this member of the community and prevent the man from losing his home. He said he has personally vowed to donate his time and money to bring this property to better living standards.
“I’m going to his sister’s house tomorrow to talk to him,” he said. “And if he wants to talk, then I’ll do all I can to help him.
“Why else would anyone want to serve in the capacity of a council member or mayor unless you do want to help your community?”
In other business, the council:
• heard from Trailmasters’ leader Kenneth Short about the upcoming Scarecrows in the Park.
• approved a contract with the county commission for inmate housing for the next fiscal year.
• approved a three-year contract with Pepsi for concessions and vending machines for the parks and recreation center.
• approved a contract with the Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging to administer and operate the senior center nutrition/transportation program.
• had the first reading of an ordinance to sell property to Custom Collars. According to the ordinance, the purchase price for the property would be $16,000. The transaction would include 2 acres.
• approved an agreement to install a sign on property owned by Angie Metcalf.