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Gifford site cleared of 7,000 tires, 250k pounds of debris - VeroNews: Indian River Count... Page I of 2 <br />Gifford site cleared of 7,000 tires, 250k pounds <br />of debris <br />Posted: Thursday, August 28, 2014 4:36 pm <br />INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — It took more than <br />five years but a property on 45th Street in Gifford <br />has finally been cleared of 7,000 discarded tires <br />and 250,000 pounds of debris and hazardous <br />materials. <br />The Environmental Control Board Thursday heard <br />testimony that the environmental nightmare in <br />Gifford was cleaned up faster than anyone thought <br />was possible, thanks to the leadership of well- <br />known Indian River County developer Joseph <br />Paladin. <br />Gifford site cleared of 7,000 <br />tires, 250k pounds of debris <br />Paladin was hired by Gaddis Corporation to oversee removal of old tires perfect for mosquito <br />breeding, construction debris, rundown buildings and toxic waste from a 10 -acre parcel at 4410 <br />45th St. in Gifford, which had become an illegal, unregulated dumping ground. <br />Board member Dr. Philip Glade said the County had been trying to get the site cleaned up for five <br />years or more, working with an unresponsive prior owner. <br />Paladin said Fort Lauderdale businessman Jesse Gaddis acquired the property sight -unseen in <br />2012 through a foreclosure action along with other properties that had been put up as collateral in <br />a business deal. <br />In December the board imposed a $42,500 fine on Gaddis for failure to clean up a health hazard <br />located next to Gifford Park, which contains ball fields, playgrounds and a swimming pool <br />frequented by children. <br />Paladin said when Jesse Gaddis came to Vero from his South -Florida headquarters he was <br />shocked by the conditions on the lot. <br />"He is a good person and a very successful businessman," Paladin said of Gaddis. "He didn't want <br />his name associated with the mess at that property and he gave me power of attorney and complete <br />authority to handle the clean-up." <br />When Paladin appeared before the board in June to announce his cleanup plan, the board was <br />skeptical because the problem had already dragged on so long, and it imposed a $500 -per -day <br />additional fine if the work was not complete in 45 days. <br />http:H\%,ww. veronews.wnt/news/i ndian_river_county/spotlight/giflord-site-cleared-of-tires-... 4/7/2016 <br />P14 <br />