City, county to enforce Nuisance Ordinance
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

Local citizens of Millen and Jenkins County found to be in violation of the state's Public Nuisance Ordinance, mandated by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, could find themselves in legal hot water. Acting upon a request from the Jenkins County Development Authority, the City of Millen and Jenkins County Commissioners recently voted to begin enforcement of the ordinance.

The ordinance deals with a number of issues. Among them are: the accumulation of rubbish, trash, refuse, junk, construction debris and other abandoned materials; any building or structure which is in such a dilapidated condition that it is unfit for human habitation or is a health concern; un-mowed yards, weeds or grass allowed to grow higher than 12 inches; abandoned vehicles in public view; noises which many annoy or inhibit others in their enjoyment of their property; dead or dying trees that may be a hazard if they fall; and accumulation of stagnant water.

Other issues the Public Nuisance Ordinance addresses are: buildings or structures where any activity is conducted that is in violation of local, state and federal law; pollution of any public well, stream, lake, river or body of water by sewage, dead animals or industrial and agricultural waste; carcasses of animals not disposed of within a reasonable time after death; and human excretion disposal that does not conform to the provisions of local ordinances or state and federal laws.

When a nuisance is found to exist within the city or county, the owner or occupant of the property where the nuisance exists will be issued a written warning. If the conditions are not corrected, the county/city will file an action in either the Jenkins County Magistrate Court or in the City Municipal Court.

City, county and development authority officials are stressing the importance of a community's appearance in decisions of prospective residents and businesses in locating to a particular area. The public is being encouraged to familiarize themselves with provisions of the Public Nuisance Ordinance and to abide by the rules and regulations.

(Editor's Note: An advertisement outlining the full provisions of the Public Nuisance Ordinance will appear in an upcoming edition of The Millen News.)