Dear Editor,

Is anyone in town wondering about the pile of dirt in the lot across from Advance Auto?

So are the owners, who were stopped in mid-process of landscaping the yard. After purchasing the property in 2003, the city took the shrubs out that encircled the property from the sidewalk, which left big holes and mounds of dirt and roots.

It’s been really difficult to mow and pick up debris since then. The property was very uneven everywhere. After learning that their property was in the Historic Preservation Council’s “zone,” nine years after buying it, he stopped and got permission for the little building he was adding to the yard. His application did include extending the parking lot.

He had a company come in to de-sod and level out the property. When it was almost finished, the city inspector came with the police and a cease and desist order, and under threat of arrest, he stopped.

I couldn’t find applications or permission granted for several of the bigger projects that’s been done to the properties that persons on the board own. I also find it unusual that past and present members of this council, together, own a lot of these properties in “the zone.”

These properties are mostly eyesores. These council members need to be held to the same standards that they are forcing on other property owners.

Since their properties that they reside in have been purchased, they have had pools, two car garages, pool houses, etc. put on theirs.

I also found several past members also received grant monies from the council they held seats on, for the facelifts on their own homes. It’s all a little double standard, and the 14th amendment has been tossed in the trash.

Teresa Nibert

Point Pleasant, W.Va.