By Tim Bonfield
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Neighbors fear mosquitoes breeding in these old tires by the walking/biking path near Lunken Airport. (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

With West Nile virus confirmed in the area, some people are wondering how long it will take the city to get rid of several hundred old tires stacked near the walking-biking path at Lunken Airport.

Public health officials say old tires are prime breeding spots for mosquitoes, which spread West Nile virus. But neighbors say the tires near the Lunken bike path have sat unmoved for about two years despite complaints made to city officials.

"I no longer go to the Lunken bike trail with my daughter because of the tires. I head out to the Loveland bike trail," said Theresa Conover, a resident of Columbia Tusculum.

Two rectangular stacks of bundled tires, containing several hundred tires in all, stand amid grass and weeds in a vacant parcel behind the Columbia Tusculum Farmer's Market on Wilmer Avenue. The low, wide piles are visible to anyone walking or riding along the southern end of the Lunken bike path.

The tires came from the "Lunken Runway Enduro" road race held in August 2001 on Lunken's taxiways and runways. The two-day event featured a variety of sports cars.

Conover complained to the city about the tires on May 10 via e-mail. She was told May 12 that the city's litter patrol office was investigating.

Conover wrote again on June 3 seeking an update. She received a response on June 29 that the matter had been referred to the litter patrol office.

After reading about West Nile virus found in a blue jay in Anderson Township, Cincinnati resident Craig Ruhm also complained to the city health department about the tires near Lunken Airport.

"I don't know who owns the land or the responsible party, but to me this area collects water and represents a significant health hazard," Ruhm said.

On Tuesday, health department officials said they were aware of the tires and were working to get them removed.

"There are some complications," said Malcolm Adcock, city health commissioner. "Many of the tires are bolted together. They can't just be hauled off. We're working on gathering the manpower to unbolt the tires."

It was not clear why the tires haven't been removed sooner.

The city plans to use a grant to get rid of the tires. No date for their removal had been set.

E-mail tbonfield@enquirer.com