Jason Futch: reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
The Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners met at the courthouse in Jasper on Tuesday, May 20, for its regular meeting. The Board discussed various topics, but two particular items on the agenda stood out: a large gathering ordinance needing review and a local resident who requested the county replace her fencing due to damage she claims came from the county.
The Board first brought up the issue regarding the large gathering ordinance, a topic that has been revisited a few times during previous Board meetings. In a public hearing, Clerk of Court Greg Godwin explained if there was any uncomfortable language in the proposed ordinance, the Board could schedule a workshop to make proposed changes before it goes up for a vote. Board Chairman Richie McCoy said it would be necessary for the board to review it.
County Attorney Andrew Decker explained he had been tasked with the responsibility of writing a modern crowd control ordinance, further explaining the ordinance brought before the Board during the meeting was a published draft. Because of the details in the draft, Decker said it would be best for the board to ensure they are satisfied with the ordinance’s language before approving it. “There are crowd control ordinances for larger cities and municipalities covering things [the Board] may deem not necessary or burdensome for Hamilton County,” Decker noted. “So, I am proposing a workshop at this public meeting, and I recommend someone pass a motion to recess this public hearing on this ordinance until June 17.”
Following Decker’s statements, the board moved to recess the meeting until Tuesday, June 17, to further discuss the ordinance and possibly make a decision on the matter.
Later in the meeting, Susan Goodin, who resides in District 2, came before the Board to request her fence on Northwest 49th Avenue be replaced. She alleged a ditch dug near her property had compromised the land where the wall had been placed. She said people claimed the hurricanes had damaged the fence, causing it to fall over. However, she denied the hurricane caused the damage, as the wall had been falling over before the storms.
Goodin also said she spoke to a lineman with Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, asking if the way they installed the poles had anything to do with the ditches dug near the property. She said the lineman confirmed the ditch had compromised the ground.
Following her plea for help, District 2 Commissioner Robbie Roberson spoke up in support of Goodin, explaining the purpose was not to point fingers at anyone but rather to correct an issue due to the ditch eroding and growing wider, compromising the integrity of Goodin’s fence. “I believe, over time, digging and erosion has caused a problem,” he said. “Over time and over different road graders, we got too close to the fence.”
Roberson said he visited the property to inspect everything and came to the same conclusion Goodin had. “Personally, I feel a little more like we are at fault than she is, and that’s my opinion…with the erosion and everything going on, I believe it points to us,” he stated.
Following Roberson’s support of Goodin, he made a motion to have her fence replaced at the county's expense. The board chose not to second the motion, making it moot. Following the vote, Goodin thanked the board and left.
The next Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners meeting will be on Tuesday, June 10, at 9 a.m. at the Hamilton County Courthouse, located at 207 NE 1st St., Jasper.