Belle officials move forward with nuisance procedure, PD cleanout

By Roxie Murphy, Staff Writer
Posted 6/2/21

BELLE — As June 1 approaches, the city will be operating with a mayor pro-tem, three aldermen and no marshal with zero plans to rectify the situation until the next regular election in April …

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Belle officials move forward with nuisance procedure, PD cleanout

Posted

BELLE — As June 1 approaches, the city will be operating with a mayor pro-tem, three aldermen and no marshal with zero plans to rectify the situation until the next regular election in April 2022. The vacant positions, however, are key players in how the city planned to move forward with nuisance violations.

Former mayor Steve Vogt said at the May 11 city meeting that he had planned to meet with the head of the city’s contracted police force, Sheriff Chris Heitman, on May 26 to discuss the future handling of nuisance violations and to clean out the evidence locker at the former police department.

Mayor Pro-Tempore Jeanette Struemph met Heitman in Vogt’s place.

“We already had a system in place and I talked to Chris (Heitman) yesterday and we are going to follow through with what we’ve got,” Struemph said.

Struemph explained that if someone comes into city hall and makes a complaint, a city employee will take pictures of the complaint and issue a nuisance letter. The property owner has 14 days to comply.

“If they remain non-compliant after 14 days, then Chris will issue a ticket,” Struemph said. “Most likely it will be a city worker or Public Works employee who takes the pictures as they are familiar with the area.”

She said anyone can make a complaint and city hall will have forms available to fill out.

Following the Wednesday, May 26, meeting, Heitman and city officials also opened the door to the former Belle Police Department’s evidence locker.

“We opened the door to see what needed to be done,” Struemph said. “Chris will take care of that stuff that needs to be disposed of. 

The city is also down a treasurer since Theresa Taylor unexpectedly stepped down on May 27 from that position.

“We will advertise for a treasurer as soon as we get something together,” Struemph said.