CLINTON - The DeWitt County Board will continue its effort to clean up several unsightly salvage yards in the county, but officials acknowledge it will take some time before the work is done.

On Thursday, Land Use Committee Chairman Larry Martin said the committee met with Mike Landers, who owns property along U.S. 51 near the Thrall Car facility. The county and Landers have been at odds for several years about the appearance of the property.

"It was a good meeting, but I'm not sure we accomplished anything," Martin said.

Landers has owned his salvage yard since 1964 and told the committee the salvage yard provides a place for junk to be disposed. The county passed an ordinance two years ago, making it mandatory for salvage yards to be enclosed. The Landers property has not been enclosed.

In addition, the committee learned Landers does not have a state salvage license, which is also a violation of the county ordinance.

County Board Chairman Steve Lobb said Zoning Officer Ted Turner would send letters to all salvage yard owners to initiate compliance.

"He will get us up to speed on that and then we will proceed," Lobb said.

During the committee meeting, Landers argued against the ordinance, saying he did not believe it was fair for the county to impose an ordinance such as an enclosure around his property. Committee member Ed Young argued the ordinance was passed in 2005 and Landers has had plenty of time to comply.

Piles of scrap metal, vehicles and other materials have accumulated at the property since its inception. Landers previously said people have illegally dumped items on the property and he has been unable to eliminate that problem.

Several semi-trailers and buses now line the perimeter, but the vehicles fall within guidelines previously established by the board.