Residents seek to repeal act

A group of western Colbert County residents wants a chance to repeal an act that allowed the county commission to approve a junk ordinance, which they consider unfair.

The Self-Governance Act gives the county commissions authority to approve ordinances that abate nuisances such as unsanitary sewage, noise, litter, rubbish, pollution, overgrown weeds, junk yards and animals.

Voters in unincorporated areas of Colbert County approved the act 2,739 to 1,706 during a referendum in November.

Commissioners told a group of about a dozen people Thursday that the act was properly advertised and information was distributed to various sites in the county before the election.

Those attending the meeting said they either didn't see the information or weren't clear on what the act really meant. One person said he thought the act dealt with garbage or health hazards.

For a referendum to be placed on a ballot, the group needs the signatures of 10 percent of the eligible voters in the unincorporated areas, Commission Chairman Troy Woodis said.

Carroll Williams, a resident of western Colbert County, told the commissioners there are numerous residents in the west end that are against the ordinance.

"I don't like it worth a flip," he said.

Residents cited incidents where Colbert County Health Department officers were ignoring "no trespassing" signs to inspect people's property.

Health officers agreed to help the county enforce the ordinance for one year.

Some residents were upset for being cited for items they classified as farm equipment and antique cars.

Pat Johnson said her 15-year-old daughter was upset that they had to remove a car that belonged to her late father.

"My junk don't hurt anyone," Johnson said. "I don't understand why this is being pushed down our throats."

Commission members said they are simply carrying out the wishes of the majority of county residents by approving ordinances and enforcing them.

The junk ordinance is the first and only ordinance approved under the Self-Governance Act.

Johnson said she and other west end residents will begin the process to secure enough signatures to force another referendum.

Because of record high temperatures, the commission agreed to give residents who received violation notices until the end of September to remove items from their property.

In other business, the commission: