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Saturday, November 14, 2026Nov 14

Jasper, Tenn., resident says city not enforcing property maintenance ordinances

Jasper, Tenn., Mayor Paul Evans displays a folder full of certified letters that he says he's sent out to landowners trying to get them to clean up their properties.
Jasper, Tenn., Mayor Paul Evans displays a folder full of certified letters that he says he's sent out to landowners trying to get them to clean up their properties.

JASPER, Tenn. – Six years ago, Jasper resident Marty White began complaining to city leaders about a property next to her sister’s house that she said has rats, a bad smell, garbage and multiple vehicles in the backyard.

At the September meeting of the Jasper Board of Mayor and Aldermen, White said she has continued reiterated those complaints over the years, but nothing has been done because Mayor Paul Evans won’t enforce an ordinance that allows the city to cite landowners to court for properties like the one she described.

“It’s gone on with the properties,” she told Evans. “And you know which ones they are, and I just want to know why you won’t enforce it.”

“We’re enforcing it, but not the way you want it enforced,” Evans replied.

photo Jasper, Tenn., Mayor Paul Evans displays a folder full of certified letters that he says he’s sent out to landowners trying to get them to clean up their properties.
photo Jasper, Tenn., Mayor Paul Evans displays a folder full of certified letters that he says he’s sent out to landowners trying to get them to clean up their properties.

He said he would not cite property owners to court.