By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
County targeting eyesores
Placeholder Image
Avoid citations: Keep your property looking nice

Not only will taking care of your property keep you free of code violation citations, it will increase your home’s “curb appeal,” making it much easier to sell when the time comes. Follow these tips to keep your property clean:
• Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof or driveway.
• Clean windows and gutters.
• Pressure wash dirty siding and dingy decks.
• Edge sidewalks and remove vegetation growing between bricks.
• Mow the lawn, get rid of weeds and rake and dispose of leaves.
• Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the home’s roof.
Liberty County code enforcer Tony Mullis said he “just about got his foot chopped off,” when he asked a couple of municipalities to take a more proactive role in the upkeep of their cities, particularly  abandoned trailers.
The county only has control over unincorporated areas; it’s up to each city to keep up with regular maintenance. However, unsightly sites and structures are a reflection on the whole county and it’s time to clean them up, said Liberty County Commmission Chairman John McIver at Thursday’s meeting.
“You’ve got mobile homes burnt out, stacked on top of each other — these things are eyesores in the community. Not only that, but they breed mosquitoes,” McIver said.
He was particularly concerned with dilapidations on the county’s east-end going toward Highway 196, the “gateway into the county.”
Paul Zechman, building and licensing director, and his team has been going to city council meetings to help assess the issue and “see what they want to do and how far [the county] wants to go.”
But cities shouldn’t be able to shirk their responsibility, according to commissioner Pat Bowen.
“Why should we go in there and clean it up?” Bowen asked.
County administrator Joey Brown, who reminded the board of the county’s intergovernmental agreements with the municipalities, said issues can be handled legally if
there’s no action from cities.
Mullis said the county doesn’t scold the cities, instead he explains that property is just more valuable when it looks better.
With the cost of removing a mobile home  at about $5,000, money usually turns out to be the real stumblingblock.
“Some of these people simply don’t have the resources,” Mullis said.
“It’s a tough call when they don’t have the money,” added Zechman. “Because I agree, I see plenty of eyesores.”
Code enforcement has 13 open cases, but closed nine cases this month, including clearing out the unauthorized, makeshift RV park next to Food Lion on west Highway 196.
“That was a case you just have to stick to your guns,” Zechman said.
To some residents’ credit, Zechman finds many property owners want to clear out, but get taken advantage of when hired employees only do half the job.
“They leave the trailer sitting there, stuffing showing, and it looks worse than it does [before],” Zechman said.
Code enforcement also typically gets calls about overgrown lawns, junk cars and neighbors who paint or take their cars apart in the driveway.
Violators get a courtesy warning, a letter, then a summons to magistrate court if the problem persists.
“If I can deal with you, individually, it’s a lot better than dealing with you in a courtroom,” Mullis said.
Violators usually have 10-30 days from the citation to fix the problem.
Sign up for our e-newsletters
Community gets a rare snow day
Snow Day 1

City of Hinesville and Liberty County offices are closed today, and the Liberty County School System is undergoing a day of virtual learning after a winter storm hit southeast Georgia.

Coastal Georgia was inundated with one of the biggest snowfalls in recorded history as forecasters called for 4-6 inches of snow to fall Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Initial reports Wednesday morning indicate at least 2 inches fell on Hinesville.

Sean Hafer and his family took advantage of the quiet roads and still Wednesday morning to enjoy the snow at Bradwell Park. He’s lived in Hinesville for almost 12 years and recalled the snow storm of 2018. But that snow was “not this deep,” he said. “It’s been a while.

“I don’t think many people went to work today,” Hafer said. “You think people would be out in it having fun, but I guess they’re scared to drive in it. It’s fun when you don’t get it around here.”

Hafer said he was curious to see how much snow was going to fall.

“They did well on this,” he said of the meteorologists. “They were accurate. They earned their pay on this one.”

The City of Hinesville declared a state of emergency Tuesday in advance of the storm and residents are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel due to potential severe weather conditions. Melting snow and ice can refreeze overnight, making roads dangerous.

Liberty County offices will remain closed until Friday. Liberty County School System students are having virtual learning Thursday.

Near-record lows tonight could lead to hazardous road conditions through tonight and Thursday morning, especially on secondary roads due to refreezing of melted snow and sleet and black ice with freezing of water puddle.

While daytime highs will be more temperate, overnight lows for the next few days are expected to remain well below freezing. The City of Hinesville encourages residents to drip their faucets overnight, insulate exposed pipes and to let warm air circulate around pipes by opening cabinet doors under sinks, especially those near exterior walls.

Some travel issues could persist Thursday night, with the potential for any remaining snow or slush to refreeze, especially on secondary roads.

The city also is reporting no power outages and all traffic lights are operational. Since most businesses are closed, traffic is minimal and residents are urged not to travel unless necessary.

 

 

snow day 2
snow day 3
snow day 4
Latest Obituaries