Junk cars. Siding falling off homes. Overgrown grass and weeds.

These aren't the things that borough council wants Mercer to be known for, which is why it is creating a building maintenance ordinance to get the area cleaned up.

"We have some buildings in horrendous condition," Council President John G. "Jerry" Johnson said. "Without the ordinance, we don't have the power to enforce anything unless we say it's condemned. Someone has to be responsible and if you have property, you have to keep it up."

But one resident who has vehicles sitting on his property disagrees.

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