(Photo by Wizzard Media)
KENOSHA, Wis. – A wind-tattered, illegible notice flaps on the front fence of a burned-out property in the 9400 block of 69th Street—an enduring symbol of inaction by the City of Kenosha, where residents say their concerns are being ignored.
It has been nearly four months since a devastating house fire reduced the home to a foul-smelling pile of debris. Since then, neighbors in the Whitecaps subdivision say they’ve been left to live next to a health hazard—complete with raw sewage, toxic ash, and mold—while city officials, including Mayor David Bogdala and Alderman Art DeBaere, fail to take meaningful action.
9400 Block of 69th St in Kenosha
Kenosha County Eye first reported on the fire in January: West-Side Kenosha Family’s House a Complete Loss After Structure Fire. Since that time, not much has changed. The only visible response from city government is a citation notice posted on the property back in March, instructing the property owner to clear the wreckage within 30 days. That deadline came and went. The notice remains posted, but the ink has washed off from exposure to the elements.
“It’s disgraceful,” said one resident who lives nearby. “Another neighbor and I contacted the city several times. The city told us the property owner was planning a cleanup, but there’s been zero follow-through. We just want our neighborhood back.”
According to multiple neighbors, city officials have claimed a cleanup plan was submitted but later fell through after contractors allegedly discovered mold and toxic substances in the debris. That left residents in limbo—with no schedule for cleanup and no transparency about what to expect next.
Several residents voiced frustration that their pleas have gone unanswered. “The mayor lives just seven blocks from here,” said a neighbor. “It’s not like he doesn’t know about it.”
(Cell Phone Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
When KCE visited the site, a noticeable stench lingered in the air. Some debris—what appeared to be remnants of construction material and household items—was still visible near the sidewalk and curb. The conditions have caused neighbors to avoid hosting guests at their homes. “It’s embarrassing,” said one resident. “Would you want your kids playing outside next to that?”
City Administrator John Morrissey, when contacted by KCE, acknowledged that the deadline for cleanup has expired and promised to look into the matter. He said he would provide an update by tomorrow.
KCE contacted Alderman Art DeBaere for comment, but he did not respond. He apparently didn’t respond to his constituents either. Neighbors say even a basic acknowledgment would go a long way.
“This is your district, Alderman,” said one resident. “Please come out, see what’s here, and tell us what’s being done to clean it up.”
With summer approaching, residents fear the site will become even more hazardous in the heat—and say the time for patience has passed.
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58 Responses
Whitecaps- the gift that keeps on giving. Largest trailer park in Wisconsin
I don’ t usually jump on here. This is s stupid comment. This is a beautiful neighborhood with great people.
Maybe someone should call the state government in Madison. I don’t know what department handles hazardous waste but the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Call the offices of our congressman and become a nuisance. Next, once you called and gotten bo responses or no action, (record all calls with date, time and response), start screaming on social media. Contact both parties and see 2hich one jumps. Nothing politicians hate more than having their names blasted all over social media! Also, contact TMJ 4 in Milwaukee. They have a department that exposes this kind of dereliction of duty.
Typos 🫣
Just call Sam !
Remember her ??
20 years in state government in Madison.
Samantha Kerkman may be the County Executive but last time I checked White Caps is in Kenosha County.
Sure the city has jurisdiction but if you’re looking for answers from Madison I’m sure Sam has a few names and phone numbers that will get you to the right people.
But at the same time the Mayor needs to do what mayor’s are paid to do, handle problems in city departments and their interactions with residents.
This problem has definitely reached mayor level attention.
Useless Sam? Hahaha but she’s available for any photo op
Not the best quality of homes, neighborhood looks extremely run down.
Those are $500,000 homes, you retard
Come down 71st street and you will see we have all maintained our homes very well. Yet, I agree some streets are hit or miss. My house is updated, upgraded and meticulous.
Would you expect Mayor David Bogdala and City Administrator John Morrissey to work for Kenosha taxpayers ? They are happy getting their picture in the paper or the web.
John Morrissey lol with the fake college degree. Then got his son a job in a police department as an officer as it say average officer. Then his daughter-in-law a job in one of the city departments I believe inspections. Wow.
The fake college degree that the mayor and city council ignores.
The nepotism.
The Morrissey family epitomizes the incestuous corruption that infests Kenosha government.
Don’t forget that he’s also on the County Board .
Wait so people are upset that the city and city officials aren’t doing anything? The only ones responsible are the property owners and their homeowners insurance company. The only thing the city can do is fine them and then it makes a horrible situation even worse. Kevin can you look into what the actual issues are for failure to have anyone clean it up?
The insurance company is trying to be cheap? Or the property owners are because they didn’t have enough coverage on their house? Or is there some dispute going on between owners, city, and insurance company because of how the fire was handled? The other interesting thing is 1 neighbor already is fixed but the other neighbor still sits with damaged siding, etc. that is allowing for how much water damage to the home?
You’re probably right with the insurance company run around. It’s all about the $$$$
One call, that’s all?
… which has past already, the city takes control, cleans up the mess and adds the cost of the clean up to the tax bill. Problem solved.
Doesn’t matter if the current owners pay or if they sell and pay then. It becomes a lien on the property. Done all the time.
That’s how we do that out here in the country.
Sure there’s mold. Water and anything left to rot produces mold. Stink and stench ? Right behind.
Basements are big bathtubs.
Seems like a simple fix left too long.
House should have been declared a total loss immediately without much to argue with the insurance company about. Then a back hoe and dump trucks a week after the fire.
Sure the owners dropped the ball. But that’s when the city and their process’s should have picked it up. That’s what government is for.
Out in the country? White caps is definitely not in the country lmao
at one time it was…. pepperidge farm remembers
it was all fields once upon a time
But it’s not now.
I think you mean county.
Country and countryside are old school words.
Here in “Kenosha” we do differentiate between the city and everywhere else.
Also known as “ out here in the county”
I’ve never heard that bc it’s not the case.
I don’t think that was his point. When a deadline that the city, county, village or town is given( like mowing your lawn if it’s too long), the city, county, village, or town comes and takes care of it and the homeowner has to pay for it one way or the other. What’s wrong with these lazy officials? What’s wrong with the Whitecaps board members allowing thos house and debris to stay there. As particular as the HOA are about their neighborhoods, it surprises me THEY havent taken action! Are they waiting for the neighbors to file some type of lawsuit against the city for leaving hazardous waste laying around? Its the city’s job to clean it up to keep everyone safe!
Bagdala is only interested in going to Derby parties.
Lol lol and his picture his aircraft uniform.
You mean his wanna be President jacket?
Bagdala and Morrissey (fake college degree) only care about taking pictures and posting them on the city website. The one you can’t comment on.
If this was next door to Mr Bogdala house. The big ego Mrs Bagdala would make sure he gets cleaned up immediately. Lol
Alderperson Art DeBaere have another one. Don’t worry about the neighbors. Do nothing Art.
Too many drugs
This is a mess. You’d think the homeowners policy would cover cleanup. I think the city could move to have it declared a public nuisance and take the bull by the horn but that’s a last resort. The city has some experience with catastrophe cleanup.
Awful for the neighbors. The smell of all that water in the basement for 4 months. I guess the mayor was busy and some elaborate event.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FyRRvwMeB/?mibextid=xfxF2i
Lol! Right!? How about fixing the Habitat for the HUMANS, not Humanity David? Recall him
Didn’t the family get a ton in go fund me? Should have more then enough for cleanup fee
Yup someone got about 40k for helping the family out nothing said about using the money for cleanup
If they had an alderman, such as Rollin P, this would have been taken care of already. People complain, but this is a prime example of the need for good people in government.
When will you be announcing your run for government?
How do we know they even have insurance?
If this was an unsightly lawn, the city would already
be mowing it and adding it to their property tax bill.
Unless they were mortgage free, mortgage companies require homeowners insurance. Who goes without homeowners insurance anyway?
Those houses were garbage before they were completed.
Many stories of workers urinating and defecating in the basements
before they were even poured.
Yup those houses were put up like cracker javk boxes. The kenosha people knew not to buy them and let the Illinois transplants scoop up that junk.
Well, my house is still standing and I am from Kenosha. I take great care of my home. I agree they were put up fast but this was the 90’s hundreds and hundreds of homes were put up likfe cracker jack boxes at that time…from what I know, they are still standing (minus a few fires). We complain about homeless yet bitch when someone can only afford to live in a certain area.. sounds materialistic.
Who’s back is this problem on?
Insurance companies are notorious for slow-walking large claims.
Generally insurance companies have a limit on what they will pay for demolition and debris removal.
If the claim has been paid, the mortgage holder gets paid first and the owner gets the balance and is responsible for the clean-up.
They could just walk away and let the city deal with the clean-up and become the new owner of the lot.
With the planning commission and building and zoning, I am certain they are waiting on a permit to start the removal of this work. The City of Kenosha is the most difficult place to get approvals to start anything.
I couldn’t imagine anything more devastating than your house being destroyed in a fire. Thank God no one was killed or injured. However, the cleanup process should’ve been done immediately. Imagine a multi vehicle accident and the debris left there until an insurance adjuster comes out. This is not an insurance issue. This is a public health issue. This is why we pay taxes. It’s too late to play Monday morning quarterback, but the city should have removed it immediately. In fact, the fire department made a decision on the afternoon of that day to leave the site claiming the fire was out. Unfortunately, the fire rekindled and the neighborhood was awakened in the early morning predawn hours of the following day and the house was fully engulfed. So now, that is exactly what should happen. The city should move on removing the debris and to prevent it from further seeping into the water table.
The homeowner must not have had insurance. The homeowner is required to clean it up. Normally the insurance company would take over and have it cleaned up and a new house being built.
If you have a mortgage, the bank or mortgage holder monitors that the property owner maintains insurance. If by chance the homeowner doesn’t pay the insurance, which is rare because most mortgages require escrow to pay taxes and insurance, then the mortgage company will then purchase insurance and charge back to that owner that cost.
That insurance is typically more expensive than you might get on the open market. The point is that the mortgage holder wants to protect their money in case situations like this happen.
So I’m sure there is insurance. Though only to cover the lien.
That said, why all this has happened is a mystery.
IF there is a mortgage.
AND if it hasn’t lapsed.
Any other questions?
The mortgage holder still has skin in the game regardless of if the owner is current or behind in their payments.
Homeowner policies are for 12 months at a time. Plenty of time for the mortgage company to keep insurance active.
How many people do you really know that have paid off their house and then didn’t want to still pay for the insurance?
If they are so far ahead of the game to not have a mortgage then you would think they are smart enough to maintain yearly insurance that is equivalent to about one months mortgage payment.
The ability to pay off your house goes with smart responsible owners.
Insurance is sure to follow
Or the cause of the fire is still under investigation
Any evidence to the cause is long gone. Intentional or accidental the insurance should pay and then litigate after to recover their funds. If there was somebody to blame.
It’s incredible how much everyone know about everything on here. Honestly, lots of speculation about people and processes that you do not know. I’d love to see how many of you have lived this experience and have worked with the city to get things moving along. What’s missing in the world is compassion and it’s obviously missing here as well.
To the homeowners, please reach out if there is anything that we can do to help as you continue to navigate this awful experience.
How about compassion for the neighbors?
Yes, dealing with some debris behind a fence and an odor for a month is definitely more deserving of compassion than losing everything you have worked your whole life to achieve, my bad. Carry on.
If the owner was destitute as unlikely as that is, they could go to the hardware store, buy some garbage bags, masks and gloves and start bagging up the debris. Get a dumpster or haul it out to the dump in Paris.
Manual labor. Hard work. Whatever it takes.
But truly the city should have picked this up long ago. Public nuisance law. A notice. 30 days and boom. City shows up. This is on the mayor
Art DeBaere and Bogdala are absolutely worthless piles of human excrement. Remember this next time they are up for reelection
Wait, hold up, can they actually do that? Go in with garbage bags on their own to an area fenced off by the city?