Judge fines rural Nebraska junkyard owner after neighbors’ lawsuit

FORT CALHOUN, Neb. (WOWT) - An eyesore in the wooded countryside north of the Omaha metro forced frustrated neighbors to take legal action. They ordered a court order for cleanup and the property owner got called before a judge.

More than a year ago, that judge ordered the owner of the Washington County junkyard to remove all parts and vehicles from his property. Neighbors who haven't seen enough progress hope a civil contempt of court will jumpstart a cleanup once and for all.

"Everyone is disgusted with the sight of it and the sounds of it," said nearby resident Chris Ostranic. "Something needs to be done."

Six months ago , Chris and several other neighbors told 6 news about the lawsuit they filed to force a cleanup of the junkyard. After several missed deadlines, the neighbors say it's time for the court to take a tougher stance and send a message that this mess should not be tolerated on the wooded acreage.

Junkyard owner Michael Pick, acting as his own lawyer, argued that he's worked hard to cleanup his property. He claims 62 loads of scrap, 7,000 batteries and 150 vehicles have been hauled away. But Pick told the judge he ran out of time to get more done.

"If he's working as hard as he says he is on this property, it should have been cleaned up," Ostranic said.

District court judge Bryan Meismer ordered Pick to pay $9,600. Part of the amount for a fine, and the other $3,5000 to cover the neighbors' legal expenses for their lawyers.

"Our client's goal is to just get the property cleared and we're hopeful that this is a step in what has been a long process for them, and to eventually get this junkyard removed from the property," said the neighbors' attorney, Brad Entwistle.

After the hearing ended, Pick declined to comment to 6 News; his sister stepping in the way. The two of them then left out a back door, but Pick can't avoid the judge's order to pay the contempt fine in 60 days and in the meantime, the niehgbors hope that means they'll see a significant cleanup fo the property.

"I Just hope Mr. Pick realizes that this is a situation that is well out of hand and he need to abide," Ostranic said. "He needs to comply."

Pick told the judge that he will have trouble paying the entire contempt fine before the deadline, but he will be allowed to make payments over time.