Large pile of storm debris is hurting small family business

More than a month after Hurricane Irma hit, the roads in and out of Mount Vernon Condominiums are clean of storm debris.

That’s because the limbs, branches and other debris were placed in a large pile not far from the front of Judy’s Restaurant, 9516 Cortez Road W., and other small businesses in the plaza.

Mount Vernon owns the land just north of the businesses and the debris was dumped in piles more than 100 feet long and more than 6 feet high in places, essentially blocking the view of the restaurant from passing vehicles.

Business is taking a hit, according to owners Ozzie Hidri and his wife Judy, who moved to Manatee County five years ago from Wisconsin.

Debris left on private or commercial property is up to the property owner to dispose. Hidri said he told Mount Vernon officials that when they began piling the debris on the patch of private property.

“I kept telling them, ‘You can’t do that,’ ” Hidri said. “ ‘It’s your property and the county isn’t going to come pick it up.’ They said the county would, and at some point people started asking us when we were going to get rid of it.”

The county did get in touch with Hidri about three weeks ago and said what Hidri already knew, that it was the property owner’s responsibility. Hidri said it’s becoming an eye sore and a cause of constant complaints.

“But what I am supposed to tell them? It’s not mine,” he said.

Now he worries with drier weather, the large pile of debris is becoming a serious fire hazard.

“And who knows what kind of snakes and rodents it’s attracting. It’s not fair. I’m not trying to hurt Mount Vernon, but they should have known better. Business is down,” Hidri said. “This is where the tourists drive by and they can’t even see us.”

Hidri said he wants Mount Vernon to take responsibility.

Mount Vernon property manager Linda Massimo said there’s been some misunderstandings along the way.

“We did assume the county was going to pick it up, but after watching the trucks drive by hundreds of time, we pretty much came to the conclusion that we would have the debris removed,” Massimo said, but she didn’t offer a timeline.

Commercial property owners can consult their property insurance coverage regarding storm debris removal or contact the FEMA Small Business Program for assistance.

Judy’s restaurant celebrated its fifth year in business on Oct. 18. Hidri spent $500 on a banner announcing the restaurant’s anniversary.

“And I couldn’t even use it,” he said. “Some of my customers are from Mount Vernon and they are good people. I’m not trying to point fingers. I just want it gone. Enough is enough.”

This story was originally published October 20, 2017 at 2:09 PM with the headline "Large pile of storm debris is hurting small family business."