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Henrico resident struggles with neglected property next door; asks county for help

Posted at 6:48 PM, Dec 01, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-01 19:13:53-05

HENRICO, Va. – Henrico resident Kimmie Whitehead isn’t happy with her view.

"It's an embarrassment,” she said.

"Nobody comes here and tends to any of this," Whitehead said of her next door neighbor's backyard in Eastern Henrico.

Her view is of a rusted carport. Overgrown shrubs and vegetation, and snapped tree branches.

Whitehead said it's the worst she's seen it in her nearly 20 years living on Marlin drive.

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"It's bad for our neighborhood. It's doesn't look good," Whitehead said.

Whitehead said the issues started when the original owners moved out and renters have come and gone.

After years of trying, she managed to contact one of the owners over the summer.

"He told me in August when I saw him face to face that he would come back here in a week. And if anybody's been here….well, look at it -- it's November," said Whitehead.

Whitehead contacted the CBS 6 Problem Solvers for help.

We alerted county leaders who issued a violation to the property owner for the overgrown vegetation.

And we reached the property owner too.

A few weeks later, the rusted carport was removed, and a contractor along with one of the owners is cleaning up the property.

"Oh, my Gosh,” Whitehead said. “I am so happy that they came paid attention to my request and they sent you out and you all had the ball rolling ever since," said Whitehead.

"Channel 6, you guys, I appreciate that so much."

The county said the owners had until November 30, which was yesterday, to satisfy that violation notice.
A county inspector will come back to that property to check on it.