The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Cole Manor residents upset about bedbug infestation

Hope Ride pedals inspiration
7/31/10
Stafford: In the good-old summer
7/31/10
McGinn dunked for good... cause
7/31/10
Cottrel: When a drip turns into a renovation
7/31/10
Champaign County Senior center hopes voters renew levy
7/31/10
> More headlines

E-mail this page

By Kelly Mori, Staff Writer Updated 7:05 AM Thursday, August 20, 2009

A meeting about bedbugs turned into a shouting match Wednesday, Aug. 19, when angry Cole Manor residents accused Springfield Metropolitan Housing Authority and the Clark County health district of not doing enough to control an infestation at the Burnett Avenue high-rise apartment building.

More than 50 residents showed up for the meeting designed to address residents’ concerns about the infestation discovered Saturday when health officials found a ninth-floor resident covered in the bloodsucking bugs. The man’s apartment was completely infested, down to the inside of his shoes.

“I’m so freaked out. This is crazy,” resident Tina Dixon told Orkin Branch Manager William Fryman, who talked about bedbug prevention and treatment.

Dixon and her husband, Richard, wanted to know what they could do to prevent the bugs — which will latch on to just about anything — from entering their apartment.

“What happens if I have to throw away my furniture?” Richard Dixon asked. “I’m disabled. I don’t have the money to replace those things.”

Dixon’s question hit a nerve with one woman in the crowd, who began to shout down everyone else, including the officials who tried to answer residents’ questions.

Attendees demanded SMHA put a stop to residents dumping used mattresses and other furniture in hallways, elevators and balconies.

They were also angry that some residents refused to allow health officials into apartments suspected of being infested.

As the yelling escalated, residents started filing out, shaking their heads in frustration. Health officials also began packing up their papers, unofficially ending the meeting.

“We kind of lost their attention,” said Dan Chatfield, Clark County’s director of environmental health.

Chatfield’s staff is meeting with SMHA officials next week to address not only Cole Manor, but cases at SMHA’s Hugh Taylor apartments, and a Section 8 rental voucher house on Woodward Street, Chatfield said.

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

There are many people who do work that live here and what is this statement by "taxpayer"?The underclass?DO you realize some of these people have a better education then you do?Do you know we have had to call the firedept because SMHA won't come fix doors when they are stuck shut?This building should be condemed.Taxpay please come join us and meet the faces you talk so horrid about? We will save you a nice apt. bed bugs,roaches,rats and mice free of charge!

another resident
1:30 PM, 8/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

People were running away from an area that they had brushed bed bugs off a human person in that area!! I wish the media would get it right. Some did leave because SMHA and Health Dept had nothing to say except it will get better. I invite you all up here to live. I think SMHA and Health Dept and maintence should have to live here for a few months. Something may get done then!

a resident
1:18 PM, 8/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Further more,Dan Chatfield knew of this problem many months ago and said the building was safe and clean and they were going to do nothing.I would ask that everyone attend the meeting at lincoln park on a monthly basis and just see what goes on.Everyone is afraid to stand up to SMHA because if you do they will find a reason to evict. The drug addicts are well known here. Most do not even live here. They sneak in or are let in by others.These meetings are open to the public. PLEASE COME HELP US!

a resident
1:03 PM, 8/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

I live here and there have NOT been 6 deaths in 6 months.yeah most of the people drink.how else do you survive in this prison.Also the residents of Lincoln Park were housed here at COLE MANOR!until their lovely new houses were built.now its all about Lincoln park as if it is heaven on earth!We want something done with this place like shut it down and house us elsewhere like they did lincoln park and build new!!The rats and *********** and mice are taking over.

a resident
12:56 PM, 8/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Let's get a solution. Try this website - www.sterifab.com - Sterifab is used locally by home health care professionals to clean mattresses before re-using for another client. Low cost, easy to use.

Taxpayer2
11:28 PM, 8/20/2009

REPORT ABUSE

There are 12 additional comments

SHOW ALL

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.