The group transformed the landscaping by removing trees, bushes, edging and by adding solar-powered lights, Skidmore said.
“It looks better than it has ever looked really,” Skidmore said.
Last week, Springfield leaders issued warnings to residents that an impersonator has been going to neighborhoods pretending to be a code enforcement officer.
The city knows of two recent examples, including Skidmore, who was told he had to pay $2,500 to trim his bushes because of code violations. Skidmore paid the money, but the work was never completed.
He was surprised when the volunteers asked to perform the work last week, he said.
“It’s definitely not something that I had foreseen,” Skidmore said. “I pretty much figured this was one of those things where there was no real recourse. I reported it to the police and maybe they’ll be able to do something or maybe they won’t.”
It’s the first time in 50 years Skidmore has had this much of a positive attitude about people, he said.
“They’ve really made a difference in my life,” Skidmore said.
The tree company felt good about helping the man, Haley’s Tree Co. owner Tracie Haley said. In the past, the company has donated services to local police and fire departments and also adopts a family each at Christmas, she said.
“It’s just something I like to do,” Haley said. “It makes me feel good to help people.”
More work could be completed at the home in the future, including painting, Haley said.
She wanted to show the community some tree services are in the business for the right reasons.
“Maybe this will help the good guys who are doing this the right way,” Haley said.
Residents continued to call the city’s community development department last week to make sure code enforcement officers were present in certain neighborhoods, Community Development Director Shannon Meadows said.
“We would always encourage people to do that no matter what,” Meadows said.
The Springfield Police Division is actively working the case and have a possible suspect, said Sgt. Brian Peabody.
Skidmore also hopes the police can find the people responsible for scamming him and possibly other Springfield residents.
“It would be nice to know they could be held (accountable) for something like that,” Skidmore said.
Staff Writer Allison Wichie contributed to this report.
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