Judge rules in favor of county, forces Martin man to clean-up his property

A Martin man will be forced to clean up his Suttles Road property after a Stephens County State Judge ruled his property to be in violation of the county nuisance ordinance.

On Thursday, Judge James Irvin ruled in favor of Stephens County citing Doug Burgess’ property needed to be cleaned up, and the county’s right-of-way needed to be cleared of his personal belongings.

During the hearing, County Marshal Tony Addison told Irvin that after repeated attempts, Burgess refused to adhere to the county’s ordinances.

Cynthia Buckingham lives less than a mile from Burgess’ residents, she appeared in court to testify that his property is a safety hazard and is unsightly.

Buckingham said that she purchased her home in 2011 and at that time she thought Burgess’ property was a junk yard – not a residence.

Buckingham noted before the court that she had recently overheard Burgess, in the waiting room at a local doctor’s office, telling another person about his plans to continue disobeying the county’s ordinances.

“We see the same doctor at Open Arms [Clinic], and in September and October I overheard him telling someone that ‘I don’t care what the county or the marshal says I’m going to buy what I want, I’m going to do what I want to do,’” She said.

Burgess’ attorney argued that because Burgess has “for sale” signs up, then what the county considers to be trash and junk is actually inventory; however, Addison refuted that among the “for sale” signs are “no trespassing” signs.

Irvin sided with the county and has ordered Burgess to clear the right-of-way within 45 days, following that he must install a non-transparent fence.

WNEG News will continue to follow this story and bring you additional details as they become available.