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Campbell house’s deterioration continues
CAMPBELL
A councilman says he’d like to see Mahoning County tear down a Porter Avenue house that’s been left to deteriorate.
Joseph Mazzocca said he believes the deterioration is the county’s fault because the county “dragged its feet” on making the former occupants clean up the property. They subsequently moved away.
Neighbors first complained to The Vindicator in 2009 that the house was a nuisance.
They said that the stench from numerous cats kept there was noticeable outside.
Animal Charity removed approximately 20 cats from the house in October 2009.
The basement of the house was full of cat feces, the Mahoning County District Board of Health and Animal Charity told The Vindicator back then. The board of health required the residents to clean up the excrement and get rid of garbage and trash in the house.
The homeowner asked for and was given several extensions through December. She and her family then moved.
She no longer owns the house. Nonetheless, many of her possessions still are inside, Mazzocca said.
He told the rest of council at its caucus meeting Wednesday that the drapes fell off the windows and he was able to see inside.
“The place is a mess,” he said. “The county dragged its feet in getting those people out; now it’s trashed, and it’s their fault. They should tear it down.”
Mazzocca said after the caucus that the house is in such poor condition “no one’s going to want it.”
He said the roof is bad. “Trees are growing out of the gutters,” he said.