THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 16, 1995 TAG: 9507160036
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Snakes slither through unruly brush and 6-foot-tall weeds. Giant horseflies and mosquitoes buzz overhead.
A jungle?
No, it's a vacant lot on North Capital Street in the Jericho section of Suffolk. And residents who live near it are tired of asking the city to clean it up.
The weeds on the 3-acre lot, they say, attract snakes and other animals, which then make their way into neighbors' yards.
City officials say they hope to clear the lot early this week as part of an inspections program instituted last year. Assistant City Manager William Harrell said the city has been unable to locate the lot's owner, listed as the Allen Rainey Estate.
After a resident filed a complaint about the lot in May, the city advertised for bids, Harrell said, but two contractors turned down the job.
Harrell said Jericho is one 15 areas where the city aims to crack down on blight. Weeded lots, junk cars and decaying property can get owners a $100 civil penalty.
Charles Biggs, who lives near the lot with his elderly mother, his wife and their two young children, says he has devised all sorts of ways to keep the snakes away.
``The kids used to play on the basketball court, but they don't anymore because of the snakes,'' said Biggs.
Residents of Jericho say their community - which as part of the Nansemond tax district has a lower real estate tax rate than other parts of Suffolk - gets the short end on city services.
``The city is only taking care of the city as it has always been,'' said Jericho resident Jack Jackson. ``The city will only take care of what's in the 12-mile district.''
Harrell disagreed.
``It's a misconception,'' he said. ``I think there's an effort through the capital improvements project to get services in the Nansemond taxing district.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II, Staff
Charles Biggs says his children can't play basketball outside
because snakes slither into his yard from this vacant lot on North
Capital Street in Suffolk. Weeds have grown to 6 feet on the lot.
by CNB