Board urges closing of club

A club where one man was shot dead and two others were injured by gunshots was a topic discussed at last week’s board of supervisors meeting.

The board voted over a year ago to go to court to close down the club on Jamison Road, but the case has not been heard.

Supervisors hope to ask a circuit court judge soon to order an injunction to close the club, according to supervisor George Zinn III, who said it was opened under the disguise of a sandwich shop.

And citizens had come several times before the board of supervisors complaining about problems arising out of the club’s operation.

“Someone lost a life this weekend,” said Zinn. “It is my position we move to close it down today pending the outcome.”

Zinn then motioned to close Bossman’s Barbecue on Tuesday, but board attorney Kent Smith shook his head – meaning due process had to be met.

And Sheriff Kenny Dickerson said the club could not be closed without a court order.

Smith said the county’s original request for an injunction to stop the operation of the club had not been heard because it had originally been filed incorrectly.

He added that a circuit clerk judge had been contacted and the case could go to court sometime in February.

“We can ask for an injunction,” Smith said. “We have some dates reserved and can ask the judge (to hear it).

“I think the judge would be concerned because of the death and would hear it. I do not think an injunction would have been appropriate before, but now after this death, it could elevate it strong enough to ask for an injunction.”

Following the discussion a citizen appeared before the board saying she is concerned that underage children have been allowed on the club premises.

Zinn asked the citizen if others in the community would know of things that were going on at the club who would come forward.

Smith said he would like to hear from anyone in the community who would be willing to step up and express their concerns.

discussed a transfer of a beer permit for a Barton convenience store and approved it.
heard about a concern about a brick or concrete mail box located on Higdon Road. Supervisor Ronnie Joe Bennett said the board gets written up every year regarding the mail box and asked zoning director Conway Moore to send out letters to the property owner and a tenant asking for removal of the concrete or brick supporting the mail box.
discussed a concern brought before the zoning office regarding the moving of a burned out mobile home from one property to another.

The man who bought the mobile home had tried to move it to his property when the trailer got mired in mud and the tongue broke. Moore said she had advised the man not to move the mobile home until he got a permit from zoning.

“He had no authority to move it in,” Moore said.

Zinn asked if zoning had a right to deny the owner the right to move and work on the mobile home.

“I’m not,” she said.

Zinn clarified that the problem was not about the man’s permit but his right to move it and asked the owner to explain.

The purchaser of the mobile home said he had permission from the property owner to move it one day and on the next day the man called zoning.

“I think he should have the right to move his trailer, and as far as setting it up, it can be decided later,” said Zinn.

Moore acknowledged that the buyer did have an easement but she recommended he not move the stuck mobile home because it is too wet and would damage the property when it was moved from where it sits.

“The landowner does not want it moved because it is so wet,” said Moore.

“There must be something between him and the man who owns the land,” said Bennett.

The buyer said the land owner had called the sheriff who then came to him at his job to discuss the matter.

Bennett said the county has nothing to do with the conflict over getting the mobile home moved.

“But he does have to have a permit to set it up,” he said.

The buyer then explained that the property owner had denied him the right to repair the trailer tongue. He said he was trying to get the mobile home through Pegues Road when it got stuck, bogged down and the tongue broke.

Bennett reiterated that there could be a disagreement between the land owner and the buyer.

“The landowner may have a legitimate concern about it being wet and tearing land up,” he said.

“I just want to establish the county has no position on moving the trailer,” said Zinn.

The buyer called the area over which he was attempting to move the mobile home “treacherous to cross.”

“My car is stuck there now,” he said.

heard a brief report from Zinn on his recent visit to the Legislature. Zinn said a resolution was requested from each county regarding U.S. Forestry lands that affect school district revenues.

County administrator Larry Hall elaborated, saying 33 counties stood to lose revenues off Forestry lands unless the legislation which was pulled out of the energy bill is resubmitted by Congress under the Farm Bill.

“It will strengthen Sen. Thad Cochran’s hand if all 33 counties and the school districts participate (send resolutions),” he said.

authorized a request for $3,900 to purchase a computer backup system for electronic filing at the courthouse.
learned from chancery clerk Chuck Thomas that most departments were within 3 percent of their first quarter budget ending December. One-fourth of the year’s budget has been spent, he said.
received copies of the county four-year road and bridge plan. Supervisors were asked to pencil in work they believe is needed in their districts.
learned from Hall that on a recent visit to the county by Ann Pope, co-chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission, the county may be eligible for a co-chairman grant. The county can apply for a $30,000 grant to be spent on the museum.

The board authorized the grant application.

approved bids for supplies and contractual services.


Thursday, January 31, 2008
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