Commissioners hear complaints on red-tag process
Residents upset with tagged buildings
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

Twelve buildings were red-tagged by the Ripley County Building Inspector last week as unsafe. Seven were in Holton, three in Milan, and one in Friendship.

Several owners of those buildings came to the Ripley County Commissioners meeting on Monday regarding the action. Greg Pickett said, "This is a witch hunt. It is a personal vendetta from Bob Furst (president of the Holton Town Board). The town of Holton is using it as revenge." Pickett said two of the three properties red-tagged are not in his name. "You should have done your homework first. This started over a leak in the lagoon. The town wants to buy Danny Beach's property for a parking lot."

President Bob Reiners explained the complaints did not come from the Commissioners. They went from the town of Holton to the Executive Director of Planning and Zoning, Tad Brinson. Building Inspector Ron Duebber was the one who actually went on the properties to red-tag them. Duebber was called into the Commissioners meeting to explain how the process works.

Ken Hughes of Holton presented a letter to the Commissioners which stated, "On July 13, 2005, someone entered our property at 6444 East U.S. Highway 50, Holton, Indiana, 47023, without prior notice or permission. They posted two red tags. This action is called TRESPASSING and it is illegal and a total gross violation of our property rights. This is to inform anyone and their acquaintances, who try to intimidate or retaliate in any way, be notified that we will respond with swift and immediate lawsuits." When county attorney Neil Comer was asked about the matter, he said the statute says an official has the right to enter upon a person's property when there has been a complaint.

Earlier in the meeting, Sam Row, president of the Ripley County Area Planning Commission, presented an ordinance to the Commissioners for adoptions on the enforcement of the Unsafe Building Law for their Rules of Procedure. Later, when County Attorney Neil Comer entered the meeting, there was a length discussion on the laws and procedures. Although nothing was acted upon, the Commissioners seemed to feel that once a complaint comes in regarding an unsafe building, it is the executive director's responsibility to decide whether the complaint is valid. He may ask for assistance from the building inspector or the county sanitarian, if needed.

Once the executive director finds that the person is in violation, then the building is red-tagged. If the owner of the property requests a hearing, then the Commissioners will appoint a person (licensed building inspector) or department (appropriate town board) to mediate the hearing. If the property owner is still not satisfied, his only option then is to go to court.

Executive Director Tad Brinson said that most of the property owners who were red-tagged have called him and are cooperating and plan to bring their buildings into code.