Taking a break in the shade after mowing the lawn of his late parents’ home on Jackson Street, Archie Plump said he’s found the city’s code enforcement efforts and community court process fair and reasonable.

“It shouldn’t be that the city has to come and tell you to do any thing. If you maintain what you got, you won’t have a problem,” said Plump. “Of course, at this point in time, people don’t have a lot of money to put into their homes, but they’ll work with you.”

Plump was cited to appear in community court last fall, after the inspection department found his parents’ home had some patches of poor siding that needed to be fixed. Plump inherited the house a few years ago, and although no one is living in it, he wants to keep it in the family.

When he appeared in community court, he explained to Judge Toni Walker Terrett that with the cold, wet winter months setting in, he would need some time to get the new siding up and apply a fresh coat of paint. The judge imposed no fine and gave Plump an extension through the spring months.

“I didn’t have any problem with fixing it up. I just needed some time, and the judge understood that,” he said. “In the long run it benefits the city and the homeowner, because it looks better and it keeps the property value up.”