Indiana Co. Couple Faces $27,000 Fine

BLAIRSVILLE (KDKA) – A couple in Blairsville is facing a nearly $30,000 fine for violating a property maintenance ordinance.

Doris and David Cummings had three RV's for their business, but when they quit using them, they allowed the tags to run out.

The borough asked them to remove the RV's from their property or face fines.

Doris Cummings, however, said the couple was dealing with other issues. She had a heart attack and underwent bypass surgery. Her husband was severely injured when a lawn mower rolled over him.

Borough Manager Tim Evans says it was back in 2006 when borough officials first approached the couple, and it was three years after that, before they actually began fining them.

They were fined and then fined $25 every day after. That began back in 2009, and although Doris Cummings eventually had the RV's removed, the fine continues to grow each day until it's paid off.

But Cummings says that's impossible to do on Social Security. Her husband is now in a nursing home.

Evans says the borough doesn't want to make things rough for the couple, but he says ordinances have to have fines attached. However, he says council will not pursue this in court.

"We're going to work it out," said Evans. "It's council's decision right now."

Earlier this year, the borough offered to let the couple out of the situation if they paid $7,500, but Doris Cummings says she couldn't afford that. Now the fine has reverted back to the actual amount of $27,900 and continues to grow each day.

Doris Cummings hopes something can be worked out and fears what will happen if it can't.

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