WEIRTON - Frustrated with an eyesore, a group of Weirton residents came out on Thursday to help clean up property located in their Marland Heights neighborhood that is in foreclosure.
Ward 5 Councilman George Gaughenbaugh said he was concerned with the look of the property located at 364 Rothrock Ave. and how it reflected on the community. He said he made several calls in an attempt to find out what could be done about the overgrowth.
Gaughenbaugh spoke with the city inspection department which informed him the property was currently in the process of being foreclosed. He said the bank taking over the property is located in New York and with no immediate solution, he turned to the community for help.
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Neighborhood residents came out Thursday to help clean up property located at the top of Marland Heights Road hill — 364 Rothrock Ave. — that is in foreclosure in an effort to clear some of the overgrowth and improve the eyesore it was becoming. Residents met around 6 p.m. and continued to pick weeds and mow grass throughout the evening. -- Angelina Dickson
"I put a sign in the yard asking residents to meet me here at six o'clock and I'm happy about the turnout we've gotten," he said.
Gaughenbaugh said it is not his desire to go throughout the neighborhood taking things over at properties, but with the location of this particular property and the circumstances of it being processed for foreclosure, he felt something needed to be done.
"The owners of Lickity Splits provided us with water to keep us refreshed in the heat," added Gaughenbaugh who noted there were about 20 residents from all over Marland Heights who came out to help.
Among those volunteering their time was Mayor George Kondik. He said not knowing when or if the bank was going to do something with the property, he was glad to see Gaughenbaugh take the initiative to ask for a community clean up.
"I applaud his efforts in putting this event together and showing a compassionate concern for the neighborhood," said Kondik.
Gaughenbaugh said he has gotten several inquiries about property on Marland Heights and throughout the city from people looking to relocate for the natural gas boom and said houses are being looked at and being sold.
"We didn't want this one property that is currently caught in the middle of paperwork to reflect on the neighborhood as a whole and I thank everyone who came out to help," he said.
(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@weirtondailytimes.com)
