A large crowd filled the Habersham County Commission meeting Monday to oppose a proposed Derelict Vehicle Ordinance. Though the ordinance was not officially on the agenda, it dominated the public comment period, reflecting resistance across the county.
The proposal, first introduced at the commission’s March 17 meeting, seeks to regulate abandoned or inoperable vehicles on private property. Since then, opposition has surged on social media and on a local opinion page, with many residents viewing the measure as intrusive and unfair.
“Is that any way to govern?”
Dale Green of Clarkesville addressed the commission, criticizing what he described as the ordinance’s “complaint-only” enforcement model.
“If somebody calls and complains, then they will go and enforce. Is that any way to govern?” Green asked.
He said after reviewing the ordinance, he noticed inconsistencies—particularly with the removal of junkyards from the enforcement language, while individual citizens remained targets.
“If you do pass something, please enforce it equally and fairly somehow, or forget it,” Green urged. “Let’s just don’t do it at all. Quit irritating me and all the rest of us. Run government the way it ought to be run, fairly and equally.”
Vice-Chairman Bruce Harkness responded, noting the high level of community engagement. “I promise you, almost 38,000 voters have called all of us or contacted us, or seemed that way, so, we listened,” he said. He explained that, due to the overwhelming response, the ordinance had been pulled from the agenda.
Supporters cite environmental, economic concerns
Developer and designer Lew Oliver was one of the few speakers in support of the ordinance. Oliver, who relocated to the area from South Georgia, said protecting the landscape was part of why he moved to Habersham.
“I’m very much in favor of protecting our beautiful open spaces, free of abandoned vehicles and everything that they bring,” he said. “I don’t think they should be allowed as a right.”
Oliver said that derelict vehicles harm property values and reduce the amount of property taxes collected. He also raised environmental concerns, including chemical runoff and groundwater contamination.
He noted that he had spoken with the president of his homeowners association—who supports the ordinance’s enforcement—and with the president of the Soque River Watershed Association, who also backs keeping the ordinance due to its environmental implications.
“I speak very much in support of keeping this ordinance for economic reasons and public safety reasons,” Oliver said.
A personal connection to vehicles
Ronnie Gibbs shared a more personal story with the commission, explaining his deep ties to the vehicles on his property.
Gibbs said that nine generations of his family have lived on his “little piece of heaven.” His auto collection includes a 1940 Ford he purchased at age 13, a 1938 Chevrolet once owned by one grandfather, and a 1968 Chevrolet bought new by the other. He also has vehicles that were last owned by his parents and a sister who has since passed away. “These are kind of memories,” Gibbs said.
He also criticized how code enforcement complaints are handled, saying he had received complaints without being informed who had filed them.
“Once a complaint is filed, whether with the county or a state agency, he did not have the right to face his accuser. According to the Constitution, he believed he did have that right.” His comments were met with applause from the audience.
Seth Herrin and Gary Allen reiterated Green’s and Gibb’s opposition to the ordinance during the meeting.
Commissioners speak to the issue
Before the commission moved into executive session, board members took a moment to speak directly to the community.
Commissioner Kelly Woodall reflected on his own values. “I’m an independent guy, I hate for anybody to tell me how I can’t do anything to protect myself from myself,” he said. “The last thing I want is the government stepping in my yard telling me how they don’t like how I decorated it.”
Commissioner Ty Akins shared that on his way home every day, he passes a yard that has a mid-60’s pickup that is decorated every holiday season. He believes that the intent of the ordinance was not to address that at all and as a matter of fact, he is quite fond of that old truck.
Commissioner Dustin Mealor expressed to the audience that at least 95% of the county residents have either inherited an old vehicle or know someone who has over the years. He said that he echoed the concerns of the other commissioners. “I’m a car guy. This is a non-starter for me,” Mealor concluded.
What comes next?
While the ordinance has been withdrawn from immediate consideration, its future remains uncertain. Commissioners gave no indication of whether a revised version might resurface.
“We all consider Habersham County a slice of heaven,” said Vice-Chairman Harkness. “But as you chip away at it, before you know it, it will be gone.”
