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BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio- Shadyside resident Joyce Hartley again confronted Belmont County Commissioners at their Wednesday, Oct. 9 meeting over what she described as a five-year struggle to have someone in authority recognize alleged damage to her house and property on Cash Ridge Road.
Hartley said water runs across a road and onto her property and has caused significant damage over the years. She alleges that the issue began when a neighbor, Edward Good, allegedly dug a ditch near her property and water began to drain by her home.
Hartley alleges that commissioners gave Good permission and money to dig the ditch, which also raised the roadway.
She listed issues with her house’s foundation and bowing and slipping.
She said she bought her home for $135,000 but its value has decreased substantially to $58,000 due to the water damage.
Hartley says this is not an issue for Mead Township, but it is the commissioners’ responsibility.
Commissioner Josh Meyer says Hartley has voiced her concerns to the commissioners “multiple times” and they have addressed them. Hartley acknowledged that she has a letter dated last year from Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan about the issue and met with him, but she says nothing has been resolved, and says that the letter is “janky” and “full of lies.”
I’m going to be here multiple times until you do something about your ditch…
Shadyside resident Joyce Hartley
Meyer told Hartley that she has not been entirely “truthful” about the matter and does not engage in a “conversation.”
We have addressed you on multiple occassions. you come in here and rant and yell and scream. it’s not a conversation.
Josh Meyer, Belmont County Commissioner
Commissioner J.P. Dutton told Hartley that the county must work within the law and with the county prosecutor. Hartley then accused Dutton of having ties to a real estate firm that sold her her home, which Dutton denied.
Hartley repeatedly yelled and called the commissioners and county prosecutor “conspirators,” “liars,” and “corruptors.” Hartley called Meyer a “sissy” and a “slimy, dirty person.” Dutton said Hartley was slandering them. Hartley also called Dutton a “fraud.” Meyer picked up his gavel to call for order in the meeting but Hartley chastised him.
don’t wave your magic wand at me. i have every right to sit in here and say what i want. i have rights. you are taking my house away from me. you are taking my money away from me.
Shadyside resident Joyce Hartley
A Belmont County Sheriff’s Deputy was present monitoring the exchange as Hartley screamed. She finally left the meeting on her own accord.
Meyer explained that Hartley is complaining about a Mead Township ditch and the matter has been litigated. Meyer added that there is a neighbor dispute. He said the commission has addressed Hartley’s concerns but she did not want to accept the findings.
He said the commission takes citizens’ complaints “seriously.” He said everyone has a right to come in to voice their concerns but he apologized to the meeting attendees for the outburst they witnessed, noting that Hartley was “unprofessional.”
Hartley also addressed commissioners at their Sept. 18 meeting.
