Left to right: County Attorney Scott Reust, council member Dana Owens, council member Phil Shalley, council President Chad Miner, Clerk-treasurer Tonya Conley

SILVER LAKE — Silver Lake’s council meeting was regular business before a civilian complaint. Paul Jayne was recently issued a citation for blocking a sidewalk, and Jayne had an issue with it.

“If you’re going to issue me a citation for blocking a sidewalk, then at least come in and put in a sidewalk.” Jayne continued that the sidewalk that is there is broken and sunken into the ground and has “not been used in 50 years.”

Currently Jayne, who fixes and sells mowers, has two lawn mowers sitting on his property blocking the sidewalk. Jayne has been told by the council before to keep his property clean, an issue that was seemingly resolved earlier this year when Jayne cleaned up the property and put in a privacy fence on part of it. Town Marshal Craig Hollopeter stated that they have had an issue with Jayne’s property for 20 years and were happy to see it cleaned up. He commented that Jayne received no citations after making an effort to tidy the property. Hollopeter went on to say that after a few months they began seeing mower equipment pile up again.

Jayne insisted that the mowers sitting outside that are blocking the sidewalk were dropped off by customers without being asked. He also insisted they cannot be moved since they do not run.

Council President Chad Miner told Jayne that mowers sitting outside for sale are fine, as are mowers that are newly dropped off, but mower equipment cannot be sitting on the property for an extended period.

Miner commented, “We don’t want to punish or harass people, we just want things to look nice for people passing through.”

Council member Phil Shalley added that the effort is being made in hopes of raising property values.

The council came to the agreement that as long as Jayne kept the property and equipment looking nice and orderly there would not be any more problems. They added that Jayne is responsible for contacting and informing Town Marshal Hollopeter if pieces of equipment will be sitting on the property for more than a couple days.

Other business:

• Fall Clean Up will be Sept. 29 through Oct. 3.
• Trick-or-treating will be 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31.
• Drew Hoskins with Parkview asked for a communication antenna to be put on the water tower. Council approved.
• A contract with Parkview to transport to non-Parkview facilities was approved.
• A Limited English Proficiency plan was approved.