Canton: New law threatens jail time for not mowing the lawn

CANTON -- The city of Canton is being overwhelmed by a literally growing problem -- property owners who won't use a lawnmower.

The city now cuts grass and weeds on more than 2,000 thousand privately-owned lots at a cost of a quarter million dollars a year.

Foreclosures are a big part of the problem. But most of the lots are owned by Canton residents.

Health Department officials are worried about creating hiding places for rats and breeding grounds for ticks.

Council is expected to pass a law Monday that could carry jail time for a second offense. Repeat offenders could face a $250 fine and 30 days in jail.

City leaders promise this law won't be used on senior or sickly property owners.

"This law is for that person that's healthy, alive and irresponsible," said Environmental Health Director Mark Adams.

Councilman Greg Hawk said, "We don't want to be in the lawnmowing businesses. We're looking for the repeat offender we're providing cheap lawn maintenance for."

When a newspaper story about this got posted on the Drudge report website, it brought dozens of outraged e-mails from around the country calling it government overkill.

"Sounds like Russia to me," said one.

Another said ,"Where do they find these Hitlerian morons."

But most Canton residents we asked said jail time was not too stiff a penalty for uncooperative property owners.

Jack Harris said, "I have no complaint with that. This brings down property values."

Fletcher Pierce said, "Most people try to keep their property up. Some people don't care. Something should be done. It's a blight on the neighborhood."

Councilman Hawk claims publicity about the law has already prompted property owners to bring out the mowers.

Resident Robert Posey repairs lawnmowers and hopes to make money off the lawn law. A big sign in his front yard says, "Will Cut Grass."