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Cole Manor residents upset about bedbug infestation

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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.

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