By Carol Anders Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — Members of the Marshall County Health Department Board heard a brief report on the demolition of a structure that they had been pursuing for some time.
The property located on U.S. 6 east of LaPaz, commonly known as the Garner Truck Stop, has finally been knocked down. Now, neighbors and others are hoping that the large pile of debris will be removed soon.

Audience member Dennis Thornton addressed the board saying, “Thank you for the pressure you put on them (owners). Thank you for everything you guys have done.”
Thornton said the neighbors appreciated having the eyesore taken down. “Now they just want you to hold his feet to the fire (until it is cleared).”
Health Board President Barb Holcomb said, “Our role is to make it safe — not necessarily to make it beautiful.”
Wes Burden, of the Health Department, said an ordinance concerning the matter includes the clean-up of the site.
Burden had gone before Judge Curt Palmer to gain permission to seal off the property last October. De-teriorating walls and floors along with a roof that was falling in had prompted officials to deem it as an unsafe building. They then boarded up the windows and doors.
Burden said the owner of the property, Khalid Sid-diqui, had informed them that the building would be torn down by April 10, 2009.
At a meeting Monday, Burden said he told the Marshall County Council of the demolition, since there was a request to appropriate funding to have the county level the building.
It was estimated that it would have cost around $20,000. The council voted to table the matter of the appropriation after learning that the owner had begun the demolition.
It is unclear at this time what measures the Health Board might take to recoup an earlier expense of boarding up the building that was done in 2006 at a cost of approximately $3,000. Bur-den said a lien was never put on the property.
Lilac Road property
Another property under scrutiny is located near Lilac Road and 4A Road, listed in the meeting agenda as “Linkville.” Burden said the house on the property has been boarded up, but the garage has not been secured, adding that a bank is involved for a possible sale of the house and garage.