Last week, a neighborhood meeting was held in Lehighton conducted by Councilman Dale Traupman. Also in attendance was Council President Grant Hunsicker.

About 20 people attended and discussion was civil and constructive.One matter which arose was a property in the 300 block of North Third Street on which all types of storage occurs: an old trailer, old vehicles, wood, etc.Some of those in attendance said the property is a breeding ground for skunks. It's an eyesore.There are borough ordinances prohibiting such conditions.The residents were also told that Lehighton doesn't have a regular code enforcement officer; that such duties are being handled by Lehighton Borough Manager John Wagner.Residents also complained that they've attended council meetings in the past to complain about the property - maybe as long as two years ago - but nothing was ever done to get the owner to clean up the site.A drive past the yard confirms that the complaints are justified .Traupman assured that some of the items mentioned at the neighborhood meetings will be brought up at the regular monthly meeting of borough council on Monday, July 26. Hopefully this particular property is on the agenda.Not only in Lehighton, but in many municipalities ordinances are adopted but not enforced. This is especially true with dilapidated buildings in some towns. The complaint is always that enforcement carries a hefty price tag with it.Frankly, merely adopting an ordinance has a price tag. There's a solicitor's fee for drawing it up, a fee for advertising it, and a fee for printing it. If enforcement is not possible, then it shouldn't be a law.Non-enforcement, or selective enforcement, is weak governing. It's unfair to the law-abiding, tax paying citizens who deserve protection from such nuisances. It encourages continued disobedience.Enforcement of ordinances and other borough regulations shouldn't be an option - it must be the law of the land.In general it seems enforcement of laws favors the rule breakers. As an example, if you own a building and let it deteriorate to the point of near collapse, there's little chance you'll be fined or have the structure torn down for you. You might get a citation but you have the right to a hearing, which you can appeal several times to have the process drag-on.Meanwhile, people in jeopardy from the dilapidated site have to endure it and live with the dangers.A case of someone deliberately taking advantage of the system was reported on the news last week. A woman purchased a property but the man who lived in it refused to move. The man couldn't be evicted until eviction notices were served. He evaded officials for 18 months, forcing the woman who owns the house to live in an apartment and pay rent as well as property taxes and possibly a mortgage.It just isn't right, as neighbors of the individual on North Third Street in Lehighton will tell you.By RON GOWERrgower@tnonline.com