Mingo Junction code enforcer to residents: Keep yards maintained

MINGO JUNCTION, Ohio (WTRF) — The all-American look of Mingo Junction is so striking that Hollywood used it for the background of classic films like ‘The Deer Hunter.’

And village leadership plans to keep it that way.

If you live in Mingo Junction and your lawn starts to become a nuisance for your neighbors, village officials say you’re going to have to get out that mower.

New code enforcement officer John Murphy has issued warnings to dozens of homes this summer for yards with weeds, garbage and abandoned vehicles.

It’s part of a new effort to crack down on blight, which Mayor Judy Ruckman says hasn’t been attended to recently.

Even worse, some of these properties are starting to attract animals.

“There’s some properties that are so bad that it’s causing an increase in mosquitoes because they’ve abandoned pools in the backyard, they collect stagnant water…We’re a gem, and we’re a nice bedroom community and we have a lot to offer. And we’re just trying to just make us proud.”

Mayor Judy Ruckman, Mingo Junction

They’re handing out written warnings right now, and giving code violators about a week and a half to address the problems.

The fines start at $100 and go up for each occurrence, in addition to any court fees.

Mayor Ruckman says residents are responding to the roughly 40 warnings they’ve handed out, and they hope the village pride they inspire will be contagious.

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