• David “Bunky” Dew says he feels complaints are personal.

By JEFFERSON WEAVER
Staff Writer

David “Bunky” Dew said Friday he has done everything the city of Whiteville has asked.

“I don’t keep junk cars at my home,” he said.

Dew, who lives on West Williamson Street, has been the target of repeated complaints by Mike and Barbara Stansky. The couple, who live a few doors up from Dew, have complained to the city that Dew keeps junked cars on his property and illegally parks vehicles on the street.

City ordinances require that cars parked streetside be licensed and insured. Failure to meet the city ordinance can mean fines up to $100 per day per car.

City Planning Director Lainie Johnston said Dew was cited twice, once for having an illegal parking lot and once for unlicensed vehicles. In both cases the cars were moved within 10 days, Johnston said.

The Stanskys have also filed complaints with the city about an open, stagnant swimming pool and a derelict house owned by Autry Dawsey on the street. The house and a nearby vacant lot are strewn with trash and attract homeless people, drug activity and feral cats, the couple said.

The pool was removed Feb. 18, Johnston said, shortly after she contacted the owners, who live out of town. The city building inspector is also working with Dawsey to “remedy the situation” with the rundown house, Johnston said
“People have been concerned about that house a long time,” Dew said, “and I think he (Dawsey) is planning to move it soon. It makes the whole neighborhood look bad, but I think he’s trying to do something about it.”

Dew said he purchases cars for resale and sometimes has “a couple” at his home, but only temporarily.

“I’m cleaning up a place out in the country,” he said, “but I haven’t finished it yet.”
A resident of the street since 1986, Dew said other neighbors on the street have never complained about his vehicles.

“I just want to get along with people,” Dew said. “Most of us do. I don’t know why I’m being singled out.

“I am going to obey the law,” he said. “I really think the city has done a good job trying to clean things up, but I don’t think its fair to point out one person in particular.

“Everything the town has asked me,” Dew said, “I’ve done. What more can you ask than that?”