Charges against trailer park owner dismissed

Justice Court Judge Jay Sheffield has dismissed charges against the owner of two local trailer parks who stood accused of environmental health violations.

Since the ruling last December, Lincoln County health department officials say the park owner and his attorney-in-fact have continued to make strides in addressing deficiencies.

“They’re making ample progress,” said Dustin Webb, environmental health specialist with the department, on Feb. 17.

Authorities charged Bob Payne, 81, for violating a litter ordinance, a community decay prohibition and wastewater regulations at his 474 Park Street trailer court last year. County attorneys brought the case against him after he allegedly failed to correct the violations.

During a status update in November, Sheffield continued the case in hopes that Payne would be able to correct the errors without additional legal action. Payne’s son, Brian Payne, was granted power of attorney in the matter.

Webb said Brian Payne had made steady improvements to the park’s condition, including the removal of some junk vehicles. Outstanding problems, like unnumbered trailers and improper roadway identification, remained at the time of the interview.

Webb said the health department could only go so far in regulating the state of the park.

“Unfortunately, we don’t deal with anything pertaining to the inside of trailers,” said Webb.

Residents of the park street trailer court and Payne’s second park at 106 Three Corner Road have alleged that Payne put them in mobile homes without power or plumbing. Many claim to have endured winters in trailers without insulation or heat. Some reported that Payne refused to perform maintenance on the homes they rented from him. This allegedly forces residents to spend thousands of dollars on repairs.

Two trailer court renters said their homes caught on fire due to bad wiring or poorly installed appliances.