From STAFF REPORTS

ROCHELLE - Wilcox County Commissioners formed a committee last year to look into the possible creation of a set of land use ordinances and regulations for the county.

They conducted a public hearing last week, and citizens had an opportunity to provide input. Patricia Marion, a Rochelle resident, attended that meeting and shared the views of some of those attendees.

Lanier Keene of Abbeville said, “these new land use laws are a little like getting a vaccination. It hurts at first, but it protects you.”

The analogy is misleading, however, he continued, because “some say vaccinations have caused autism.”

Other speakers seemed to think that Wilcox County has gotten along all right in the past without land use ordinances. “Who’s going to support a strip joint?” Richard Rhodes asked. “Has our county not worked so far?”

Rhodes concluded, “if I wanted to live with regulations, I’d move to where they have regulations.”

Barbara Ashe of Abbeville echoed those sentiments with the comment, “I paid for my land and would like to use my land as I see fit and remain as we are.”

Jerry Stevens added, “You can’t tell a man with ten acres of land what to do with his land.”

On the other side of the fence, George Scott of Pineview who had migrated from Gwinnett County tried to convince his fellow Wilcox Countians that land use ordinances are a way of being “pro-active.

“Growth is coming from Perry and Warner Robins,” he said. “We should move forward cautiously and make sure it’s done right.”

Another speaker expressed concern about chicken houses.

County Attorney John Croley explained to those attending the hearing that the state will step in and regulate land use if the county doesn’t establish its own set of ordinances.

Control of land erosion already is mandatory, the attorney said. “If you’re not a Qualified Local Government, your ability to get a loan or grants is affected.”