Trash talk ends with clean-up

Indian River County called it a health safety issue, neighbors bluntly labelled it a rat -ridden eyesore.  Tonight a scrap metal heap behind a Vero Beach home is no more.

One neighbor said, "The heap was up over the house, what's that like 18 feet?"

It was a neighborhood trash versus treasure debate ended by county government today.

 "Goodness sakes 12 foot or more in circumference," the concerned neighbor added.

So big that the courts got involved, and today the day many neighbors have been waiting for.  An Indian River work crew walked past the no trespassing signs and removed the rest of the scrap metal pile.

"I think it's a good thing, it got to be a real big mess with a lot of rats and a lot of riff raff hanging around," said neighbor Aden Gottheof.

According to the county, the homeowner Susan McGowan started on the clean-up job but she wasn't moving fast enough.  Code Enforcement says the scrap metal could have become flying swords in a hurricane.

The head of Code Enforcement Roland Deblois said, "Because of the public health hazard, the county thought it was important to move forward and finish up the job."

We tried to talk to Susan to get her side of the story, but she didn't answer the door.  County leaders assure us that behind the tall fence and thick vegetation the trash pile is gone.  Code Enforcement estimates that this morning's clean-up job cost the county roughly $3,000.  For now taxpayers get the bill, but there are plans to put a lien on the house that could force Susan to pay up.  A neighbor who didn't want to go on camera is glad to have this trash squabble resolved.

"I totally enjoy my neighborhood the way it is, so quiet, family-like," said the neighbor.

For good or for bad the pile is gone and forbidden to come back.  The same judge who allowed the clearance for the clean-up also issued an order to prevent future mounds at 1234 13th Avenue.  Indian River Code Enforcement says if a lien is put on this home, by law, it would stay for 20 years.  The homeowner would then be forced to sell or refinance before taxpayers get any money back from today's clean-up.