SWGA Politics

Last night the Lee County Board of Commissioners held what was advertised as a “Sign Ordinance Workshop.” I was personally invited by County administrator Alan Ours to bring my opinions about the workshop, then later in the week invited by the Lee County Chamber of Commerce to do the same. During the presentation by the consultants I was beginning to get frustrated listening to the presenters tell half truths and skirt serious flaws in the document. It was at this point I ask Chairman Ed Duffy if I could ask questions of the consultants to clarify some of my issues with the sign ordinance. At that point I was told that this was not an open meeting and I would not be given the opportunity to question the consultants. I informed Mr. Duffy that I was invited to bring my opinions by 2 different people and ask him again why the meeting was posted as an open workshop and verified the public’s input was not welcomed. At this point I gathered my effects and stood up and began to exit the meeting. Mr. Ours had Mr. Duffy stop me and ask me to stay and they stated they would allow our opinions to be heard as several other businessmen also stated their displeasure in the chairs statement.

After a few questions by the public and commissioners it became clear the consultants were being paid to present a document that wasn’t worth the paper it was written on. There are areas in the document that contradict each other, and still other areas that are made vague so that it leaves interpretation up to the courts.

The biggest issues that struck the board as absurd was the recommendation that only one flagpole could be erected per lot and that didn’t sit well with commissioner Rick Muggridge. It was also discussed that there are points in the ordinance which would have the county allowing a billboard monopoly rather than allowing free market economics to play.

The citizens in attendance had many concerns as well, particularly the flag issue, multi-tenant property signs, and signage laws that would limit the growth of the Hwy 82 Corridor. The consultants did make some changes to the originally proposed document so it would fall in line with current State law, as well as stating that flags wouldn’t be regulated in residential areas, however this wasn’t in the document and as the document is currently organized it would be left up to interpretation.

I think several of the questions asked opened the eyes of some commissioners, but I think their hands are tied by bureaucracy. This morning I sent an email to Commissioner Rick Muggridge asking if he would support the drafting of a new ordinance to offer them an alternate to the one presented by the Camilla, GA Consulting firm.

Last night while enjoying an adult beverage and a cigar on my front porch I saw blatant misuse of county assets that SHOULD cost an employee their job. I watched the Lee County mosquito spray truck enter my neighbors yard and spray the front and back yard of their PRIVATE property. I immediately notified County Chairman Ed Duffy of the time and place of the incident. In these days of economic crunch it’s time to keep a vigilant eye out for clear misuse of county assets.

Read the Ordinance

Complete disgust doesn’t begin to explain how I feel about this proposal. It seems that the Board of Commissioners feels it is their duty to “protect private property values” enough so to mention it not once, but twice in the statement of purpose. I also find it interesting that they say they are trying to “protect the public” from, “Individuals right to convey their message through sign.” This statement alone clearly makes this ordinance unconstitutional in my mind, because they clearly stated they are removing a persons constitutional right for the good of the public.

First let me say, I am not going to raise to many issues with the commercial aspects of the sign ordinance, I see their restrictions as more of a “sign tax” than limiting freedom of expression. I also believe the permit process if applied fairly everyone can come out happy with a win/win for the County and Commerce.

Now it’s time to dig into the residential ordinance, it is fairly simple, you get 3 ground signs, no lighted signs(directly or indirectly).

So that being said, I have a home alarm system installed at my residence, I have a sign with my address and the name of the alarm company, placed by my front porch indirectly lighted by my front porch lights at night. This is clearly illegal according to the new ordinance, but I’m guessing it would never be enforced. But I digress, if you move forward from my porch and to the right about 3 feet, I have a Chicago Bears Banner “sign” in my garden, strike two, this might be offensive to my neighbors. But when I continued around my house I came into direct violation, because the next sign isn’t a ground sign, instead it is an, “Albany Fence Co.” sign affixed to my chain link fence. I was also reading through back and forth through the ordinance, and I’ll be damned if my 2 sets of house numbers aren’t in direct violation of the ordinance as they are both wall signs and neither of them are exempted, which I am guessing puts this ordinance in direct conflict with another county ordinance I am too lazy to look up.

What really irks me is that our County Officials PAID someone to write this piece of garbage that still violates State Law:
OCGA 16-7-58(a)(2) states

It shall be unlawful for any person to place posters, signs, or advertisements: On any private property unless the owner thereof or the occupier as authorized by such owner has given permission to place such posters, signs, or advertisements on such property; and, provided, further that no municipal, county, or consolidated government may restrict by regulation or other means the length of time a political campaign sign may be displayed or the number of signs which may be displayed on private property for which permission has been granted

I am at a loss for words for why the County Board would even consider approving such a policy. In fact if they did I would make it a point to wear the planning and zoning office out reporting all of these illegal signs! I mean considering they can fine someone up to $1000 and put them in jail for 60 days, I’d rather the county fine these lawbreaking no good citizens so that maybe they can lower my taxes.

Citizens of Lee County we need to make a stand, tell the county, that they don’t need to protect reasonable citizen’s from themselves.