GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — A judge has fined a Kent County garbage hauler $500 for storing trash, junk and inoperable vehicles on a residential lot in northeastern Kent County.
Judge Sara Smolenski also issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Chuck Gee Jr., 52, of Algoma Township, after he failed to appear for a formal hearing at 63rd District Court on Nov. 21.
Gee owns Gee’s Rolling Dumpsters, a trash hauling service that has run afoul of zoning ordinances in three townships in northern Kent County since 2012. Target 8 first exposed his troubles with Oakfield Township after upset neighbors reached out in September.
Since then, Gee has cleaned up the residential lot he owns, but does not live on, in the 12000 block of Stultz Drive NE east of Heintzelman Road.
But Oakfield Township’s zoning administrator said Thursday that Gee is still not in compliance with ordinances because he has not removed a full commercial dumpster from the property.
Target 8 discovered eight tickets issued to Gee in the past five or so years from Oakfield, Algoma and Plainfield townships. Zoning administrators cited Gee for storing dumpsters, junk, brush, wood, inoperable vehicles and trash hauling equipment on lots zoned residential.
Records show Gee was cited for violations in the 5800 block of Verta NE in Plainfield Township, the 4700 block of Porter Hollow NE in Algoma Township and the 12000 block of Stultz NE in Oakfield Township.
Target 8 reached out to Gee’s Rolling Dumpsters on Thursday, but has not heard back.
Gee is not licensed by Kent County to haul trash.
Because the bench warrant against him involved a civil infraction, it’s unlikely police would go looking for Gee.
Oakfield Township’s zoning administrator is trying to determine next steps. Smolenski’s order gave the township authority to enter Gee’s property to remove any remaining items and then bill the trash hauler for the service. If he fails to repay the township for removal costs within 30 days, the township can add the cost to the property’s next tax bill.
