I took a walk today and Miles City is looking pretty good. There are a few parts, though, that need sprucing up. The building near the RR tracks that I think used to be the city shop, on 10th, is disgusting. Isn't there a weed ordinance? Who owns this property? If it's the city, shame. Also, the horrible building on Main near the underpass where the bus used to stop. Isn't the owner running for mayor? Blech. Also, the weeds on the property over the underpass are four feet high. Please, these are well travelled areas and need to be maintained.

Contrary to what Wendy thinks, the Mayor DOES NOT inhale.

Speak for yourself, Gunnar. One of the benefits of living in Montana is that I can and do inhale deeply each and every day without fear of ill consequence. The air's fairly good here when the cotton's not flying.

Wendy, 2 of the 3 properties you've mentioned are in the BNSF right-of-way. I'll be visiting with its property manager tomorrow morning on another matter and will bring these parcels to its attention. Enforcement action is pending against the 3rd property.

We do have a comprehensive public nuisance ordinance, which is written to address the concerns you've identified. The complaints from citizens have accelerated within the past week, as is typical for this time of year.

We encourage the community to first address nuisance complaints with neighbors in a friendly but firm way. If a neighborly request is ineffective, our non-emergency dispatch line is available at 232-3411 for the filing of official complaints.

Joe

I'll be visiting with its property manager tomorrow morning on another matter and will bring these parcels to its attention.

Let's hope it is the MESS on Valley Drive East.

I hope the City is in the process of pushing the RR into tearing down all the dilapidated structures on the RR right of way.

I need to hire someone to clean up our yard. It is a disgrace. I apologize for that.

The building near the RR tracks that I think used to be the city shop, on 10th, is disgusting.

The city shop was never in this building. That building is due west on 8th street. The City shop building used to be the BLM office when they were a couple of range cons and a secretary. I believe that at one time the building Wendy referred to belonged to the Kinsey Coop Association. It is an eyesore that needs to be demolished.

I would be glad to haul away unwanted items.

Owner: Hi can I help you?

Female Customer: Um yeah, what is this?

Owner: It's a Katchina doll.

Female Customer: What's that?

Owner: The hopi word `katsina' or `katchina' is used in 3 ways. It refers to spirit beings, the mass dancers who impersonate these beings, or the painted wooden figurines, which represent these dancers. The katchina was very important in the religious life of the ancient Pueblo people.

Female Customer: Wow that's fascinating.

Owner: Yeah and you put your weed in there. [points to inside of object].

Amorette,

I have a teen girl who is looking to earn some cash for the Jr.Olympics and US Open. She works hard and doesn't talk back.

she can contact me, I have yard work and more. 853-5595

Kay,
She will be back in town tomorrow. When is a good time to call?

bump

AHHHH (big breath) I am so glad someone else has finally brought this up! I honestly thought I was the only one in town! I bought my house about 7 years ago and the railroad (Transco) is "my next door neighbor" I have spoken to MANY different "officials" over there and they have complied- TWICE!!! Yes- TWICE in the past 7 years! The weeds, garbage, etc are over my 5'7" head and I'm scared to death that the train may spark a fire and I can't get my son nor myself out of this house in time! Yes, we do have fire alarms, etc- it's just the point! If I were to let MY "lawn" (what I can grow for grass or yet fireweed) go for months, yet years, I'm sure I would be getting a nasty letter in the mail telling me to mow it or else... Granted, I am "fairley new" to this town but- REALLY???

Enforcement is by complaint. Also, be sure the property is IN the City Limits. I don't know if the county has a public nuisance ordinance.

Melita,as an official at Transco I am curious to know who you have spoken to in the past about this issue. I have asked around and nobody knows anything about this, ie. who you are or where exactly your house is. Transco spends a lot of money annualy mowing, burning and spraying. There are a number of areas that people believe are ours that are not. Please feel free to call 232-1527 and ask for Doug, I can then determine if it is our property and if so take action to resolve this issue for you. We want to be good neighbors!

Tip:

To correctly find the current owner for a piece of property in montana (or who pays the taxes), go to:
http://svc.mt.gov/msl/mtcadastral/

zoom in, click on a parcel, and poof, all the Dept of Revenue Appraisal info comes up.

Doug, This is the neighbor on the east side of Transco. I have repeatedly talked to officials at Transco & before Transco, Trinity Rail. I have requested barrels be put in the parking lot so employees would not have to go out of their way to throw their garbage away.
For 14 years I have regularly cleaned up Transco garbage from my property. Almost on a nightly basis I am picking up. Many of your employees throw their fastfood lunch garbage in the parking lot on their way back to work at 12:30. The wind blows and everything is up against my fence or in my yard. The chicken bones, french fries, potato chips, 1/2 full ranch dressing cups, etc. which are lying on the ground in the parking lot attrack skunks & stray cats.
There is also an abundance of Blue tags, visor shields, used earplugs, decal backs, and much much more that blow onto my property. One would have to be vision impaired not to see it.

May I suggest a crew of the employees who park in the east parking lot be made to do a quick pick up on Fridays before they go home and at the very least pick up the food, food packages, pop containers & straws, and dirty napkins?

I would be grateful for whatever can be done. I do not mind doing my part, but Transco should also do theirs.