(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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34 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.
Not the best quality of homes, neighborhood looks extremely run down.
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.
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
I think you mean county.
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.
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
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.
Those houses were garbage before they were completed.
Many stories of workers urinating and defecating in the basements
before they were even poured.
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.