Last week the Marshall County Unsafe Building Committee conducted a hearing on the property at 439 Lincolnway East of Bourbon. The Marshall County GIS shows the deeded owner as Marjorie Holm while Karen Holm appeared before the committee.
On July 23rd of this year the Health Department was called out to do an inspection because it was reported that Ms. Holm has been living in the home without electricity and running water. Karen refused to let the Health Department officials in and a court order was acquired. The inspection found that there was electricity but no running water. Environmentalist Faith Chapman said there was trash all over the home and it was determined the home was unfit for human habitation.
Holm said the property has only been used as a storage unit but due to some circumstances she ended up stuck at the property with no transportation. Living next to Family Dollar she would purchase water and food items there to live. Holm said she never intended to live in the home and you can see that because there is no furniture in the property.
The home is serviced by the Town of Bourbon but the service was disconnected due to a water leak. The Health Department is only asking for the property to have running water with a re-inspection date of August 22nd.
Committee member Bill Keyser said Karen Holm owns four homes in Bourbon and all four have delinquent water bills. He said its several thousands of dollars.
Bourbon Town Attorney Tony Wagoner interrupted the meeting saying Ms. Holm had been in his office the day prior and paid the delinquent water bill on the Lincolnway property.
The Unsafe Building Committee gave Ms. Holm 10 days to comply with the Health Department order to have water turned on or move out of the building.
