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The Holden Police Committee addressed the continuing problem of code enforcement violations at a meeting held last week at the Holden City Hall, and decided that stiffer fines should be assessed.

In the meeting, it was reported by Chief of Police Ed Bone that they have trouble getting some residents to mow their grass, because paying the existing fine of $25 is cheaper, in many cases, than having the lawn mowed. He stated that after checking, a lawn could cost as much as $50-80 to cut.

The current law states that the grass must average 12 inches high before a property owner can be ticketed. According to Maj. Rick Martin, “We wait until it’s 12 inches high, then we give them a ticket. Then, if they don’t comply, it’s 24 inches high before we can give them another ticket.”

He continued, “We need to go in earlier and have a higher fee schedule. We can make the first ticket $50. If they don’t cut their grass within three to four days, they get another ticket - this time for $100. The third violation, after three or four more days, would be $150.

“People in this town want to see the yards mowed. We have to make it easier to cut the grass than pay the fines.”

Another problem the city faces is getting a judge to go along with the higher fees. “Even if the owner pleads guilty and is assessed a fine, how are we going to make them pay it?” Chief Bone questioned.

“People learn quickly that they don’t have to pay fines and they certainly won’t go to jail if they don’t,” he continued.

Bone stated that there were 135 cases of failure to mow lawns last year alone. Action on one yard in the city has been pending since Spring and is still not settled. “If it takes all year to get one piece of property settled, we’re not getting very far.”

In addition to increasing the fines, the chief suggested that he would like to see an ordinance that would allow the city the authority to cut the grass of a non-responder within 30 days.

“We’re going to get an early start on this problem so we won’t have the same situation next year.”

Kent J. Burnes will deliver the keynote address at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet to be held Monday, November 28, at the Community Activity Center at 6:15 p.m.

Burnes, who is president of Burnes Consulting located in Orangevale, Ca., and on the island of Roatan off the coast of Honduras, will speak to the group about “Being an Orange in an Apple World.”

According to the speaker, “The keynote is motivational and pokes fun at those who go through life without a vision. It is funny and motivational but then on the serious side, it lays out in 12 simple steps how to revitalize a community.”

After graduating from Memphis State University with a degree in marketing and finance, Burnes opened retail businesses with family members and at the same time became interested in revitalization of small downtowns across the country.

After starting and running a successful jewelry business in Sheridan, Wy., he organized and managed the town’s main street project. When Flagstaff, Az. was recruiting for a downtown director, Burnes’ name was top on the list. He says, “helping communities revitalize their downtowns and the businesses that call downtown home is my life work and passion.”

Over the last 25 years, Burnes has worked in more than 750 communities and with over 300,000 small business owner to help them “find their competitive edge.” Because he is a small business-owner himself, audiences relate to his common-sense approach and realistic strategies of business improvement.

A gifted speaker who is in high demand on the circuit, his typical audience is 75-300 persons, but speaks at the large venues - 1,000-5,000 - several times per year. His program, “Sharpening Your Competitive Edge,” which is for small businesses, has been awarded the International Golden Galaxy Award for outstanding content and presentation.

Burnes is the author of “Competing With National Discounters,” “Facing the Warehouse Home Center Challenge,” “7 Secrets to Small Business Success,” “Secrets to Small Business Success,” and the audio book, “More Secrets to Small Business Success.”

There will be dinner music and entertainment prior to the keynote address and the chamber will install new officers and recognize members. Door prizes will be awarded during the festivities.

Dinner for the banquet will be buffet-style and catered by Jack Phelps BBQ. It will consist of meat entree, potato, vegetables, salad, hot roll and dessert. Cost for the evening is $17 and tickets are on sale at Farmers & Commercial Bank, Bank of Holden, Faststop, Holden Package Store and Country Creations.

For more information, contact Jenny Sollars, 732-4822; Kyndal Phelps, 732-4903; or Linda Frazier, 732-4156.

By Steve Sullins
Editor

Angel Tree Program Set To Help This Year

Through Nov. 19 HOPE will be taking applications for its annual “Angel Tree” program. Any family with children in Holden or Kingsville needing help over the holidays should come to the HOPE office at 212 W. Second in Holden and fill out a form or call at 732-4357. Individuals wishing to adopt a family for the holidays should call the HOPE office and ask for Trisha or Crystal. The Angel Tree will be located at the Community Service Center.