Zanesfield’s village leaders are unsure why two demolition derby cars placed on the front lawn of a centrally-located property were painted pink with flowers on the doors late last week.
The demolition derby cars placed on the lawn of a centrally-located Zanesfield property were painted pink late last week, but the property owner Matt Straker is not commenting on what that means. (EXAMINER PHOTO | REUBEN MEES) |
Is it a sign that the property owner Matt Straker is willing to accept a deal the village has offered to install grating in exchange for removing the cars? Or is it an act of defiance — a statement that the cars are going to remain?
“I’m not sure what it means,” Mayor Heather Clapsaddle said noting that she first noted the new paint scheme on Thursday afternoon. “We haven’t heard anything from Mr. Straker. All I know is that now they are pink.”
Mr. Straker placed the cars there nearly a year ago after he said village officials reneged on a verbal deal they made.
He said he agreed to buy the property in 2014 at a personal cost of $16,500 under an understanding that the village would help him clean up a drainage ditch that runs beneath the house.
Mr. Straker has said he agreed to buy the building because the previous owner Jane Faber had filed a lawsuit naming him, the village and others and they feared the suit would cost more in legal fees than simply buying the property.
He said he worked with the village for more than a year but got no results. It was at that time he placed the cars on the lawn of the property, which is located between Firehouse Pizza (a property Mr. Straker also owns and rents to the operators of the restaurant) and the Sloan Library in the heart of the historic 240-year-old village.
Read complete story in Tuesday’s Examiner.
CLICK HERE to subscribe today!
WEB EDITION STARTING AT $9.50 FOR 5 WEEKS!