Sunday, May 19, 2013

Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

Signs create issues in Lee County
Posted: 07.20.2012 at 8:04 PM
Matt Prichard

Matt Prichard joined the Fox 31 News Team in May of 2012 as a general assignment reporter.

0
TSPLOST signs cause controversy in Lee County  / Matt Prichard
Photo

ALBANY, GA -- With local elections just 2 weeks away, the amount of campaign signs lining the southwest Georgia highways has nearly doubled. However several signs promoting the TSPLOST initiative have raised the concerns of county commissioner candidate Tim Nelson, who says these signs are breaking code regulations.

"First of all, they're against the sign ordinance that was passed in my protest, and also, that if it didn't suit the county, there would be a different approach to taking the signs down, and I don't believe that approach is being taken," said candidate for Lee County Commissioner, Tim Nelson.

With that in mind, nelson contacted code enforcement officer Jim Wright via email demanding the signs be taken down. Although Wright wasn't available for comment today, his email responded to nelson saying: "there appears to be no violation taking place," and that "county code enforcement officers do not have the authority to confiscate any signs on private property".

Nelson stands by his argument though, saying Lee County isn't removing the signs because the TSPLOST program is beneficial for them.

"I just feel there should be fair application of every law there is, and the county's failing to do that in this case. Because it suits them, and if the tax passes it's going to be a benefit to Lee County, everyone knows that, probably be a detriment to Dougherty County, that's why you only see the signs in Lee County," said Nelson.

Wright continued in his email that "temporary signs, according to the sign ordinance, must be in place only 14-days prior to the event. In this case, that event is the election, which takes place two weeks from today." with that in mind, there is a good chance that these signs will still be standing through the election.

Related Links

Popular Stories
Thumbnail
7-year-old slays 1,000-pound creature
Kerri Copello  |  Yesterday at 6:00 PM  |  12 comments
Thumbnail
Armed robbers leave empty handed
Matt Prichard  |  Saturday, May 18, 2013
Thumbnail
Meet the woman in charge of all Parris Island marines & recruits
Romney Smith  |  Yesterday at 12:00 PM
Follow My Southwest GA
Get news and weather notifications on your phone by downloading the iPhone or Android app below
Sign up to get alerts and updates for breaking news, severe weather, and deals:
submit
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Features
Win a booster seat!
Click above for your chance to win a booster seat and get safety tips for your child!
Bright Side
Spreading the good news around Southwest Georgia!
Legal
Finding the right lawyer to handle your needs is important.
ADVERTISEMENT