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Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

Bibb leaders take aim at trash, signs

Bibb County commissioners want to say “good riddance” to the roadside signs that litter the county and piles of junk that clutter yards.

The commission is considering the efforts as part of a broader push to clean up the unincorporated parts of the county. Commissioners could vote in a few weeks on banning all signs, including political, from county roadsides and also establish a county nuisance ordinance. Earlier this year, the county commission explored partnerships to beautify junky intersections and assigned jail inmates to remove trash and cut grass.

The draft of a nuisance article championed by Commissioner Lonzy Edwards claims that “a clean, safe and well-kept county can stabilize or increase property values, provide a healthy environment, and make citizens proud of the area in which they live.” Edwards said that while many of the nuisances are already illegal, the county had few ways to enforce them.

“We need to give people an alternative to people having to take matters into their own hands,” Edwards said.

Another commissioner, Joe Allen, is pushing a complementary proposal to eliminate roadside signs, such as those endorsing a political candidate or a pharmacy. Allen, though, knows exactly where to place some of the blame for a trashy county: himself.

“I’m probably the world’s worst about putting signs in the right-of-way,” he told his colleagues recently. “I’m beating myself on the back. Beating, not patting.”

Edwards’ draft ordinance gives 10 examples of nuisances that should be banned. Among them are unsanitary housing, off-leash dogs roaming neighborhoods, piles of trash or metal.

Edwards wants to let any county resident or official complain to the sheriff’s department, which would investigate and file a complaint with the Magistrate Court. Complaints could also be received or investigated by the county engineer, animal control officers, fire prevention officers and inspectors with the building, license, health and public works departments.

County commissioners seem to like the ideas and see the need for them, but some worried about how the codes would be enforced. The county’s engineering department has been picking up signs on rainy days when other work can’t be done. But Commissioner Bert Bivins said that department and the sheriff’s office wouldn’t be able to do the work without more people.

Commissioner Elmo Richardson agrees the county is junky because of the signs.

“We need to get it cleaned up,” he said recently. “It’s a mess.”

Allen said he thought a vote on the sign and nuisance ordinances could come this month.

To contact writer Mike Stucka, call 744-4251.