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  • Megan Bristow/The Duncan Banner Volunteers will be going to the Loveless properties at 517 and 519 W. Beech starting Saturday to see what can be done to keep the city from ordering abatement of the properties.

    3-22 Loveless.jpg
March 22, 2013

Volunteers asking for additional help to save neighbor’s properties

Megan Bristow The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Weather permitting, work begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday to repair at least one of the structures owned by Albert Loveless and organizers are asking for more volunteers and materials.

The properties at 517 and 519 W. Beech were addressed at a recent council meeting and Loveless was allowed 30 days to show improvement at the structures before Duncan City Council would issue abatement orders.

“We are looking for contractors who might be willing to donate their time,” volunteer Jennifer Smith said. “I am just a mom. I can hold a trash bag, paint and put a nail into a wall but that is about all I can do.”

Kerry Rice, a local truck driver, is one of the first volunteers who will go to the properties on Saturday and load his truck up with trash and debris and to assess what work is needed to be done.

Volunteer Beth Kurtz suggested community businesses consider if they can donate lumber, wood, nails or other supplies. She said other ways to get involved is by donating their time to the work days or providing bottles of water or lunch for the workers or simply send up a prayer.

Rice said even with the possibility of rain, he and his nephew will be at the properties loading dirt into a truck and hope to be able to see the inside of the properties to see what else needs to be done.

“That may be the perfect time for those of us who are going to be there to go in and see what needs to be done,” Rice said.

From what he has seen of the properties, he knows there will be a need for siding, roofing and windows.

While he said he only expects Saturday’s cleanup to take a few hours, he welcomes any help which shows up on Saturday. Kerry said he would love to have the project completed within 30 days, which would require the help of local contractors and businesses, but plans, as a minimum to show enough improvement that the city gives Loveless another extension.

Anyone interested in helping in the project can find more information on the post on the Duncan Area Sound Off Facebook page or call Beth Kurtz at 580-251-0721.

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