From The Tribune staff reports
ARGO — It appears a disturbance, which has troubled several Argo residents lately will soon be settled.
The Argo City Council on Monday took action against the property owner at 1284 Argo-Margaret Rd., where complaints of noisy chickens have been reported.
“They’ve been given 30 days to remove their fighting chickens, because it’s become a nuisance,” said Argo Mayor Betty Bradley.
If the birds are not removed from the property within those 30 days, the city will take further action.
Numerous Argo residents addressed their concerns Monday night, including Gary Gerson who said, “This is still very much an issue. I had my headphones on the other day and I could still hear the roosters, so that gives you an indication as to how loud they are.
“It’s just not the appropriate place for roosters and something needs to be done about it,” he continued.
According to the council, the property owner was made aware of the complaints last month and was given 30 days to fix the issue. While some admit the noise has slightly lessened in recent days, most in attendance Monday night say it’s not enough, and further action is needed.
The property owner at 1284 Argo-Margaret Rd. was not present at Monday night’s meeting.
According to the council, the birds in question are being raised to sell for cockfighting.
David Gerk, who lives nearby on TJ Circle, says the noise is ongoing throughout the day.
“Roosters don’t just crow in the morning to wake you up, those jokers crow all day long,” said Gerk. “We were all living here before this came up. We were already there and now we have this on top of us.”
“I live around the corner, so I’m not that close, but I can still hear them faintly,” he continued. “But if I lived as close as some of these folks, I would be livid.”
The council passed its vote after entering into executive session for more than 40 minutes.
In other business, the council also:
- tabled a motion to move forward with the process of finding a new trash pickup service in Argo. The council is expected to revisit the topic in September.
- passed a resolution to give city clerk Tiffany Westbrook the authority to hold the upcoming municipal election.
- passed a vote to give Mayor Bradley the authority to purchase a lawnmower for the city for a price not to exceed $15,000.