BATON ROUGE - A contract to remove trees and stumps has been delayed for months. Jordan United Methodist Church hired a company to remove three trees and grind down the stumps in June. Since then, the stumps have been sitting as a reminder of a job that hasn't been completed.

The church called 2 On Your Side to help get a hold of the company contracted to do the work June 30, which included removing three large trees and grinding two stumps six inches below the surface.

"I trusted his word and it didn't materialize at all," said church Trustee Chairman James Owens.

The bill of $1,150 was paid in full the day the work began. As time went on, Owens says he's had a hard time getting the company, Dean's Tree and Stump Removal, to fulfill its contract. He says he'd been told a number of times by the company that the ground was too wet to finish the work.  

"He's been avoiding us, really since July," said Owens.

Multiple calls by church members have gone unanswered. Owens says he sent a certified letter, which was sent back.

Monday morning, 2 On Your Side contacted the tree service and were told the stumps would be ground Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The church called WBRZ around 3 p.m. Tuesday and said the tree company was there finishing the job it started.