MORRILTON, Ark. (AP) - Officials in a town where a building
collapse killed a 2-year-old girl earlier this year have decided
not to fine the buildings' owners for not cleaning up the debris.
Morrilton Mayor Stewart Nelson had threatened to fine the owners
$500 a day until they hauled away rubble from the collapse, but
after Monday night's City Council meeting the decision was made to
come up with a plan in the next two weeks.
Two-year-old Alissa Jones died and her mother, Erin Coffman, was
seriously injured when the buildings collapsed in downtown
Morrilton on May 16.
One of the owners, J.J. McGee, told officials that a contractor was prepared to remove the debris for $25,000 but the cost tripled after the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality found asbestos.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)