Jefferson County Health Board Urges Action: Innovative Solutions Needed for Nuisance Problems

STEUBENVILLE — Concerns about public health nuisances in Jefferson County are growing. During a recent board meeting, members of the Jefferson County General Health District (JCGHD) brought attention to issues with noncompliance and slow enforcement. They emphasized the need for effective solutions.

The board discussed the effectiveness of the “three-strikes” policy for dealing with nuisance cases. Unfortunately, it has not been successful in ensuring compliance. Three specific properties were highlighted at the meeting: one on Sunset Blvd. in Steubenville, another on Parr Ave. in Mingo Junction, and a third on County Road 75 in Bergholz. Each property has been reported for garbage issues, with owners failing to follow clean-up orders after multiple warnings and fines. Next steps now hinge on the Board of Health, which can issue a 30-day compliance order before escalating the issue to the prosecutor’s office.

Sanitarian Jack McGuire expressed frustration about the enforcement process, noting that the prosecutor’s office is often too busy with other criminal cases. “It might not seem like a big deal on a larger scale, but for the neighbors, it’s significant,” he said. He worries that the current system is ineffective and that problems will continue if changes aren’t made, leading to infestations and harmed property values.

The board is considering options for improvement, such as setting up an environmentally focused court for nuisance cases. This initiative could receive support from the JB Green Team, which is interested in collaborating. They also recognized the hard work of Deputy Ben Swoyer from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, who is actively enforcing litter laws. Funds from the Ohio Attorney General’s Shine a Light on Dumpers program are still available to support these efforts.

In a related development, the Environmental Health Director, Marc Maragos, shared that the department has switched to a new lab for water sample analysis. The previous lab, Adams Water Laboratory Inc., has closed, prompting the JCGHD to start working with Ream & Haager Laboratory in Dover. This change will speed up delivery times for water samples, thanks to a dedicated courier, which will reduce dependency on UPS. However, it means new testing schedules. Water samples will now need to be collected on Tuesday afternoons or Wednesday mornings to ensure they are viable for testing.

Maragos highlighted the importance of this schedule change for local residents and realtors, especially when coordinating home sales that require water testing. “It’s crucial for everyone to adjust to this new timeline,” he noted. Staying informed about these regulations can help prevent delays and complications.

Overall, the health district is striving to improve public health oversight in the community. With potential changes on the horizon and ongoing support from local officials, there’s hope for a cleaner, safer environment in Jefferson County.

For further insights on public health enforcement practices, check resources like the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](https://www.cdc.gov). They elaborate on how local health jurisdictions can effectively tackle similar issues across the nation.

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