Steptoe clean-up proposal brought to commissioners

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Sep 14, 20170

Plans are underway for an expanded fall cleanup week in Steptoe. The Steptoe Fire Department will sponsor a large construction dumpster to be brought in for solid waste during the county’s annual October week of discounted rates at the waste transfer station.

A possible co-sponsor is now being sought.

The question of yard clean-up and junk vehicles in the unincorporated community of Steptoe was brought to county commissioners Sept. 5. Resident Kirk Suess came to their regular meeting to follow up an appearance he made last fall on the subject.

Suess first talked about abandoned cars.

Sheriff Brett Myers was in attendance as well.

“If it’s not a safety hazard or a threat to the traveling public, we don’t get involved,” Myers said.

County Public Health Director Troy Henderson told commissioners that he called scrap yards in the area and located one in Clarkston that would bring a flatbed truck to Steptoe if they had a commitment of at least nine cars to remove.

Myers informed commissioners further on the law.

“Many of these are on private property,” he said. “Without an actual junk vehicle ordinance, you need the owner’s permission.”

The sheriff indicated that if the community organized an abandoned vehicle pick-up day, he could have a deputy on site with hulk vehicle forms – which give permission for a junk vehicle without a title to be removed.

On the subject of solid waste, Suess talked about stacked-up garbage bags on one property.

“We only have limited authority to actually take people’s stuff and turn it into paper clips,” said Myers. “It’s very hard to tell someone what to do on private property.”

“I’m looking at our county government and its institutions to lead an effort to do this,” said Suess.

“From the sound of it, a lot of it has to come from the community, Kirk,” said Art Swannack, county commissioner. “There’s going to have to be some lead in Steptoe.”

County Public Works Director Mark Storey told commissioners he would talk to Solid Waste Director David Nails about bringing a dumpster to Steptoe during fall clean-up. The matter was later cleared with Empire Disposal, which services the area.

Whitman County fall clean-up week is Oct. 2-7.