Opposition delays a decision on new county litter ordinance

Lincoln County commissioners put off a vote Wednesday on a proposed litter ordinance after a groundswell of opposition to the proposal demanded revisions and explanations from County Attorney Bernie Cassidy.

Responding to the 45 or more people who attended, commissioners agreed to postpone a vote and schedule an evening gathering when Cassidy could be present, preferably sometime in the evening.

Presiding Commissioner Tony Berget commended Environmental Health Director Kathi Hooper and Cassidy for their efforts in preparing the proposed ordinance and the redraft that was presented Wednesday.

“We have taken our time with this,” Berget said. “We’ve put it off for two months.”

Still, that was not enough for some.

“This allows for anonymous complaints,” said Herb Cargill of Troy. “I have a right to know my accuser.”

Cargill attended the public hearing two months ago, as did his wife, Rhoda Cargill, who presented a petition Wednesday with 132 signatures in opposition to the proposed ordinance.

Rhoda Cargill contended the need for the ordinance was started by “five people years ago.”

“I want to know how many times people can be fined for the same offense,” Rhoda Cargill said.

Hooper explained property owners with infractions would be informed and have two weeks to comply or come up with a plan for compliance. She said the county would be willing to work with residents to bring the home into compliance.

“I can’t say this is going to make the county any money, but I can’t say it’s going to cost us any money, either,” Hooper said. “It’s been a long process.”

Hooper said there is a misconception the county is looking to broadly impose standards on a vast number of residents.

“There are probably 10 to 12 community-decay cases a year,” Hooper said. “And, a lot of those cases are quick remedies, like a dog gets into trash and it sits for a week. We’re just concerned about rats and feral cats.”

Hooper said there really is little new in the ordinance.

“It’s really a combination of existing county ordinances and state law,” she said. “We’ve raised the fines to up to $200, but that’s the maximum. I don’t think we’ve done a good enough job of explaining this. Hopefully, that’s what will come out of the community (meeting).”

Commissioner Mike Cole played a key role in delaying a vote, saying he preferred a vote not come until after a community meeting when Cassidy could be present.

As of Thursday, no date for the community meeting had been set.