By Chris Cannon
WISLON COUNTY, Tenn. - Neighbors who live around Ridgetop Drive in
Wilson County spend plenty of time keeping their yards looking nice. That is
why an abandoned property has so many people in the area upset.
"Look around; look at the neighbors. Everybody takes good care of their
property out here," David Haskett said as he pointed to his well-manicured
lawn.
But when you look past his landscaping, you see a much different scene.
"It's obviously an eyesore," Haskett said.
The property adjacent to Haskett's has only been mowed twice this entire
season. The grass is now three feet tall in some areas. There is even a large
tree limb sitting off to the side of the yard.
"That fell in my yard. I drug it over there because it came out of this
tree here," Haskett explained.
He would complain to his neighbor about the property, but no one has lived
in the home since Haskett moved in more than four years ago.
"Not foreclosed, not for sale, just sitting there," Haskett said.
But the issue with the property has gotten more critical than just an unkempt
lawn. It has become a target for vandals.
"Somebody tried to set it on fire. And if you look through the front
door, there's been vandalism. So now it's more than an eyesore and a public
nuisance, it's a real concern for the neighborhood," Haskett said.
Wilson County Commissioner Clint Thomas was made aware of the issues with
the property on Ridgetop Drive, but had a hard time getting answers for area
residents.
"So I started my own process of trying to find out information. Who
owned it? Who was in charge of the up keep, etc," Thomas said.
After more than a month of making phone calls Thomas did get the information
he was looking for.
"The property is still deeded to the names of the individuals who lived
here; however, Bank of America is paying the property tax on the
property," according to Thomas.
The commissioner said while Bank of America is taking care of the property,
there is another bank involved in the deal.
"They have an investor in Duetch Bank that kind of calls the shots in
terms of maintenance and up keep, those sorts of things. So it's really an odd
process to me," Thomas said.
Late Thursday afternoon a crew did arrive at the property and mowed the
lawn.
email: ccannon@newschannel5.com
The grass is now three feet tall in some areas at 809 Ridgetop Dr. in Wilson County.
