Habersham County is repairing its administration building sign after someone vandalized it overnight. The vandal spray-painted expletives on the sign, protesting taxes and County Commissioner Bruce Palmer.
The sign sits at the entrance to the administration building and county recreation department off Highway 17 in Clarkesville. County workers removed the graffitied portion Saturday morning.
County spokesperson Rob Moore issued a brief statement about the sign’s removal: “A portion of the sign at the entrance to the Habersham County campus on Jacob’s Way in Clarkesville was damaged and was temporarily removed Saturday morning for evaluation and repair.”
Moore says the county will not release any other information about the incident this weekend.
Earlier this week, county commissioners passed a tax increase that many residents spoke out against during public hearings. Commissioner Palmer has been a vocal supporter of tax increases to cover employee pay raises and improved services. He heavily promoted the county’s recently failed Transportation SPLOST referendum and is a staunch advocate of public safety.
Palmer has also voiced support for a building authority that could secure bonds to pay for capital projects without voter approval. He recently stated that would be the best way for the county to build a new jail.
While it’s the first time the sign has been removed for vandalism, it is not the first time this sign has been damaged.
In February 2020, a Dodge Ram pickup truck slid on the snow-slickened highway and plowed into the sign, demolishing it. More recently, the signs rock exterior sustained slight damage when another vehicle ran into it.
