By Richard Kerns
rkerns@newstribune.info
tribune staff writer

KEYSER — A Hawthorne Heights resident challenged Keyser City Councilman Dave Sowers to clean up his property, saying his lot is dragging down adjacent property values and is an embarrassment to the neighborhood.
Speaking at Monday's meeting of the Keyser Mayor and City Council, Bill Stewart of Chestnut Street challenged Sowers to make good on his promise to clean up an old car, rock pile and other debris on his property.
“You people talk all the time about cleaning up the community, and you're the biggest offender,” Stewart said.
A car enthusiast, Sowers acknowledged owning 24 cars, but said all of them could be titled, and that they are stored in a garage elsewhere in Keyser. “My son and I have lots and lots of cars in storage,” he said.
Answering Mr. Stewart's charge, he said one vehicle at his house was recently “taken to the crusher” and he is waiting on someone to pick up the other one still at his lot, a 1940s pickup.
“The vehicle will be removed,” he said. “I have been working on it. I continue working on it.”
Sowers noted that he has suffered nine strokes over the past year, and has been working to clean the lot, in addition to removing the old

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cars. Councilman William “Sonny” Rhodes backed Sowers on that point.
“He has been working up there diligently for the past three weeks,” Rhodes said. “He and his wife.”
Stewart said he and others have met with Sowers over the past year and have heard such commitments before, but the property remains an eyesore. “He keeps junk on it, old cars,” Stewart said. “Everyone on Hawthorne Heights hates him for the way he keeps his lot.”
Sowers again reiterated his intention to clean the property.
“I'm not going to satisfy you no matter what I say, even if I got the pickup out of there,” he said.
Another neighbor diplomatically urged Sowers to keep his pledge. “I think it's due time for you to live up to your promise,” he said.
In other business, the city council committed to another citywide bulk trash cleanup, similar to programs that have been held in the past. Just before the meeting closed, Sowers brought up the matter, saying the trucking company that hauls for the pickup indicated that they could do it toward the end of June, or in August.
Unable to act on the matter because it was not on the agenda, the council members decided that the June date would be too soon, as it could not be approved until the next meeting, June 22. They opted instead for the August pickup, with a date to be announced.
“I think we need that very badly,” said Councilman Ed Miller, who chaired the meeting in the absence of Mayor Glen “Bunk” Shumaker. “I think it's worked out well for us.”