Tuscarawas County’s Southern District Court judge defended the work his court does while also disagreeing with mayor’s court.
The idea of the city court was recently suggested at a Uhrichsville Council meeting, with some voicing continued frustrations over unsightly properties and that nothing seems to be done.
Part of this was questioning the District Court’s effectiveness, with Judge J.J. Ong addressing the matter.
“To assert that we have things lasting longer than a year is inaccurate. Of the 21 that were resolved the longest it took was three months. Most of them were within days. We have five remaining cases, two of those involve the same defendant. Two of those, the defendants have already come in and entered guilty pleas. In addition to handling those matters, the court provides community service workers to the city of Uhrichsville primarily. Of course, we cleanup trash wherever that’s needed, we’ve done the dam property, I think they do around the ball fields as well. There are 21 Uhrichsville properties on our lawn mowing list that get attention from the community service workers.”
City Law Director Jeff Merklin commended the Southern District Court’s efficiency but questioned the small impact a mayors court could potentially make.
“Cases get to Judge Ong’s court they’re handled appropriately, they’re handled quickly, and they’re handled in a good fashion, and if somebody wants to fight it, mayor’s court has no jurisdiction anyway if it’s something that somebody could be sent to jail.”
Meanwhile, a council member spoke about a property that seems to get reoccurring pin notices for at least the past decade and making minimal efforts to comply.
Mayor Jim Zucal emphasized that he wants to clean up the town with the goal to have the code enforcement officer issue pin notices properly and if additional training is needed, provide it.
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