A Stockertown councilwoman pleaded guilty this week to disorderly conduct for accumulation of junk on her property.
A Stockertown councilwoman has 60 days to clean up a pile of junk behind her home or face thousands in fines, a district judge ordered this week.
Rosemarie Wenzelberger pleaded guilty Tuesday to violating a borough ordinance for accumulation of junk on her property in the 100 block of Center Street. The citation included vehicles on the property. according to District Judge John Capobianco's office.
The judge said Wenzelberger received a total of 14 citations but only pleaded guilty to one of them. The rest, Capobianco said, will be continued if Wenzelberger doesn't clean up the property within 60 days.
If the property is not cleaned up, Wenzelberger could face additional citations. Each fine totals anywhere from $300 to $500, according to the judge's office.
Neighbors complained to council within the past five years about garbage accumulating in Wenzelberger's back yard, said council President Amy Richard. The rubbish attracted vermin, including skunks and groundhogs, she said.
On Wednesday, junk remained on the property and there were at least 16 garbage and recycling cans in the back yard.
"There have been multiple piles of junk since 2011 -- it's beyond ridiculous," Richard said. "It's a total mockery for the office she holds. This is a simple borough code law. This should not go on for five years."
Eric Wenzelberger said Wednesday his wife has been very upset about the claims and the couple disputes any vermin coming on the property as a result of garbage. Eric Wenzelberger also has been ill and is disabled, he said.
"I have not been able to work very well," Eric Wenzelberger said. "I do the best I can -- I'm doing a good job of cleaning up. These are projects I got into or my car died and I had to buy another car."
Eric Wenzelberger said he feels he is being retaliated against after losing the November election for a council seat and for his and Rosemarie's involvement in the Stockertown Youth Association. Eric Wenzelberger serves as association vice president and his wife serves as treasurer.
Eric Wenzelberger claims things turned political when the youth association didn't financially support a capital improvement project at the wishes of borough council.
Council wanted to fund upgrades for the pavilion in Newhart Park, he said, but the association balked because the project didn't support the association's mission to "help the children of Stockertown."
"It's a sad thing that you can't run for a borough office without all these problems," he said. "It's a little bit over the top."
Richard called the retaliation claims "bogus" and said it's "not worth" commenting on.
Rosemarie Wenzelberger has served at least two terms on Stockertown Borough Council.
Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.