Assistant Fire Chief David Horton exits his automobile Monday afternoon on Lelia Drive at Kennett to issue notices of violation to residents who have rubbish scattered across their properties. The fire department is putting action to the city's "war on rubbish." Staff photo by Jack Rollins [Click to enlarge]

In a previous story reported by the Daily Dunklin Democrat, Wheeler said, "Residents will have until March 15, 2008, to obtain qualified rubbish and garbage containers. After March 15 there will be a property blitz."

One team alone, led by Assistant Fire Chief David Horton, issued 20 notices of violation by mid afternoon Monday. "Most folks understand what we're trying to do," Horton said. "We're trying to make the city look better by getting rubbish picked up."

Rubbish like this scattered on a property located on Lelia Drive at Kennett is being targetted by officials with the City of Kennett. The city's mayor is determined to clean up the city. Staff photo by Jack Rollins [Click to enlarge]

In addition to issuing the notices of violation, Horton said officials are taking digital photographs of the rubbish. "We'll follow up after one week," he said, "to compare what we see in the photos to what remains.

If the rubbish has not been picked up, then residents will be sited and ordered to appear in city court."

Wheeler reminds residents and businesses that the city is serious about cleaning up the city. He said, "If we want people to consider Kennett as a place to live or to put a business, we have to clean things up."

Following are the guidelines residents and businesses can refer to as they clean up their properties:

306.3.1 - Garbage facilities: The owner of every dwelling shall supply one of the following: An approved mechanical food waste grinder in each dwelling unit; an approved incinerator unit in the structure available to the occupants in each dwelling unit; or in an approved leak-proof, covered outside garbage container.

306.3.2 - Containers: The operator of every establishment producing garbage shall provide, and at all times cause to utilized, approved leakproof containers provided with close-fitting covers for the storage of such materials until removed from the premises for disposal.

The above quoted section is taken directly from The BOCA National Property Maintenance Code/1996. The code was adopted on June 20, 2000 by Ordinance number 2591.