It has been eight months since arsonists' fires ripped through a number of properties in Maxton, leaving owners with only charred remains of what was. While those accused of the crimes have long been arrested, problems remain.

A drive around the town shows the impact of the arsonists' work in the form of burned out homes and businesses.

Town Manager Katrina Tatum says she hears complaints about the ruined properties on a weekly basis, with people wondering why it has taken so long to knock the structures down.

Tatum understands their concerns, but she also knows that the issue is multi-dimensional.

"One thing you have to do is consider that the people complaining and consider the people who have suffered the loss are all citizens. I understand both sides. The side without sufficient insurance to cover the damage, and who are forced to do a little of the work of taking down the house at a time, and who are forced to keep taking bids on the demolition until they receive one they can afford.

"And then there is the side that is not sure if the damaged houses are bringing down the value of their property. Everybody is struggling for cash, I know."

Tatum acknowledges that she could fine and cite property owners, but to what avail, she asks.

"That would just be money added on to their problems. It would put us right back in the same situation, only now they have court fees. That is why we try to work with them," she said.

Working with the property owners includes helping them find buyers for their property who can afford to have the demolition work done, and it also includes helping them find contractors to offer bids in hopes that an affordable option can be found.

When there is grant money available, she makes that an option for them as well.

Secondary in importance to the properties actually being cleared off, to Tatum, is that the owners keep in contact with her about how their efforts are progressing. When owners keep her informed Tatum is able to make better choices on their behalf, and she also then has information to report to those who express concerns to her.

Not everyone, however, has accepted the opportunity.

"There is one owner now that I may be forced to cite, and force them to get the house taken down," she said.

Currently there are burned out properties on Graham St., Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Rockingham Rd. and one Florence st. which have yet to be professionally razed. According to Tatum, the Graham St. property has the potential to used by Robeson Community College as a fire training location. If that were to happen, the property would be properly taken care of with little expense.

While she does admit to being considerate of burned out property owners' issues during "these times of financial crisis", Tatum also understands that something must be done.

"Just the aesthetics of it -- no one wants to live next to a burned out property," she said.

"They attract rodents and vandals."

During the past week a fire ravaged house on Courtland St. was removed after the owner "finally got someone he could deal with in terms of price", Tatum said. The owner was given a number of names of bidders from Tatum, and the house was finally removed after more than a year of waiting.

Before that, approximately one month ago, another house was taken down on Austin St.

For the remaining properties, one of the owners has become seriously ill, and others can simply not afford to have the proper work done.

Of the houses which were vandalized or which have burned down because of other causes, several were investment properties, the owners of which literally saw their work go up in flames.

"Maxton is a pretty good looking town, and when we have arson it destroys the hopes and dreams of people," Tatum commented.

In addition to the basic monetary obstacles which exist, there are also other issues which delay the removal of buildings.

An example of such an issue occurred after one government owned property which was burned down was identified by a Town of Maxton insurance consultant as a "liability issue".

"We couldn't get that taken down as quickly as we wanted to because Progress Energy and Embarq took a while" to remove their power lines and cables which were connected to the property, Tatum said.