FABRIZIO GOWDY
Gadsden County News Service
Havana Elementary School, which has been vacant for several years. The Town of Havana has placed liens on the property for more than $581,000 as a result of fees for failing to maintain the building and its grounds that the town has levied against the current owner.
After years of monthly lien increases for the old elementary school property — which now total $581,515 — the Havana Town Council appears ready to change course.
At its March 31 meeting, the council voted unanimously to table a resolution that would have once again increased liens on the elementary school and agreed to begin looking for a foreclosure attorney.
Council member Matt Wesolowski reiterated his position that the council should invite a foreclosure attorney to the next meeting to walk the council through what the foreclosure process would look like.
Mayor Pro Tem Lawrence Reed expressed frustration at the situation, calling the elementary school an “open sore” and a safety hazard, especially to children. He questioned the wisdom of endlessly increasing liens, suggesting it may be time for the council to change its approach.
“When do we stop?” asked Reed. “There has to be a stopping point at some time that we do something different.”
Town Attorney Jody Finklea advised council members that liens are unlikely to be effective when the property owner is determined not to comply.
Howard McKinnon said the liens should be an “incentive” for property owners to act, because they present an issue if they ever want to borrow money against or sell their properties.
“I’m perfectly fine leaving [the liens] where they’re at, because we’ve got enough incentive,” said McKinnon.
Mayor Eddie Bass told the council he could contact a semiretired foreclosure attorney he personally knows who might be willing to represent the town pro bono.
The council eventually voted to investigate hiring a foreclosure attorney, but agreed to wait to start any foreclosure process in earnest until after new council members are seated in May.
Town Council candidates weigh in
Asked for comment, Group 4 Town Council candidate John Bryant told the Havana Herald that based on what he has heard when attending council meetings, foreclosure seems too risky.
“I believe that taking back the ownership of the school presents a significant liability to the Town of Havana. I think other avenues need to be explored,” said Bryant.
Robert Mosby, also running for Group 4, said he would like to do a little more research on the issue but that seeking outside counsel is a “good consideration.”
“Doing nothing or performing actions with the same response every time will never solve the problem,” said Mosby.
In other business:
- Sharicka Howel, who lives on County Highway 12 near the Havana Public Library, urged the council to do more to make local roads safer. She noted that accidents have occurred near where she lives, and that roadway safety is a concern for her other neighbors.
- Council members also unanimously tabled a further increase in liens on a home at 605 E. Ninth Ave. Fines for code violations will remain at $20,915.
- The council scheduled a special meeting on April 30 to appoint a new council member to fill the vacancy for Group 5 — no candidates have filed to run for Group 5 in the April 28 municipal election, though two candidates are running for Group 4. Bass, who as mayor nominates a candidate for the rest of the council to vote on, said he would consider nominating the loser of the Group 4 race.
- McKinnon commented that it was “a sad day” when Havana’s only pharmacy, Buy-Rite Drugs, closed March 3. Town Manager Kendrah Wilkerson said the town did not learn of the upcoming closure until it was a “done deal,” but she and several council members expressed their desire to see a new pharmacy take its place.
- Wilkerson announced that 41 applicants have applied to succeed her after she resigns in late May, and that a list of seven finalists has been identified.
Council Member Penny Key attended via conference call, while Tabatha Nelson and Landon Seymour were absent. The next council meeting is scheduled for April 21, one week earlier than normal, to avoid conflict with municipal election day.
