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Lenoir wants owners to pick up after pet
Paul Teague, Local News Editor Dog owners who fail to clean up after their pet within Lenoir's city limits could be subject to a $50 civil fine, according to an ordinance approved by Lenoir City Council Tuesday night at the City-County Chambers in Lenoir. The amendment to the city's Charter Code of Ordinances stipulates: "Any person owning, harboring, walking, in possession of or in charge of a dog which defecates on public property, public park property, public right-of-way or any private property without permission of the private property owner, shall remove all feces immediately after it is deposited by the dog. All feces removed in accordance with this section shall be placed in a suitable bag or other container that closes and disposed of in a lawful manner." The council approved the measure 5-1, with T.J. Rohr casting the vote against. Councilman Todd Perdue was not at the meeting. "Civil and criminal penalties should be our last resort," Rohr said. "Ultimately, I think this sort of thing will be unenforceable. Decent people wouldn't allow their pets to do this." City Manager Lane Bailey and Councilman David Stevens said they had received calls from residents about the problem. Mayor Pro Tem Joe Gibbons said the ordinance will serve as a deterrent, while Councilman Lewis Price added that it's good to have the rule on the books in case it is needed. Councilman Merlin Perry said the city is looking to provide bags along the Lenoir Greenway for people to clean up after their dogs. Meanwhile, three Caldwell County Commissioners attended the meeting and called a brief official session to recognize Lenoir's All-America City designation. Commission Chairman Herb Greene referred to Lenoir as "Caldwell County's capital city" and read a resolution and presented Lenoir Mayor David Barlow with a plaque to commemorate the achievement. He was joined at the meeting by Commission Vice Chairman Ron Beane and Commissioner Dr. John Thuss. The Lenoir Council also honored a surprised Economic Development/Main Street Director Kaye Reynolds for her work in preparing the successful All-America City campaign. Barlow presented Reynolds with a plaque, while Gibbons gave her a bouquet of flowers. In other business, the council: • Approved a $15,000 budget amendment for the city's customer service program. • Awarded a paving/resurfacing contract to Midstate Contractors with a bid of $70.90 per ton in place. The contract has an escalator clause based on the price of liquid asphalt, which Public Works Director Charles Beck said has reached $600 per ton. • Approved budget amendments of $122,000 and $42,000 for the water and general funds, respectively. • Approved a subdivision preliminary plat for eight lots at the Blue Ridge Forest development located on Hibriten Mountain. • Awarded the bid for the stormwater wetland project at the former National Guard Armory on Pennton Avenue to Backwater Environmental. The company bid $188,075.80 for the project, which is being funded by the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund. North Carolina State University is assisting with the design. • Recognized the Lenoir Little League baseball team for winning the district championship for the first time in 18 years. The team now advances to the state tournament.
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