Leslie City Council hears complaints about auction yard
Published 1:29 pm Wednesday, October 23, 2024
In addition to hearing water system complaints and swearing in a new judge, the October 21 Leslie City Council heard complaints about the auction yard. Ron Rees addressed the Council concerning the lease at 117 Holley St, Memorial Park, and its state. The area was leased by the City as an auction yard to local businessman Benji Johnson.
Rees spoke of his concerns. “My problem is the accumulation of farm equipment that hadn’t been sold is stacking up.”
He stated there was a petition about the farm equipment. “I’ve got 51 signatures of Leslie citizens that are tired of looking at.”
Rees commented further. “I ain’t got a problem with Benji at all. I like Benji. I’ve been knowing him for four years.” He state he considered the property an eyesore. “I get up in the morning, I walk my dog. I see that junk sitting over there.”
He also addressed a fence on the yard. “I was informed by two city officials that he was told not to put a fence up, and he put a fence up. So why even have a contract if you’re going to do what you want anyway?”
Rees also mentioned the fence’s construction. “The fence he’s got butted up against my fence is wired to a Georgia Power Pole, and I think that’s some kind of infraction somewhere.”
Richard Vickers questioned Mayor Mathew Daniel. “As a citizen, the memorial wall, I can’t just say I want to go visit the memorial wall, I have to run it through Benji?”
Daniel responded. “Well, he’s leasing the property.”
After the meeting, Johnson answered questions about the lease, telling why he put up the fence. “To keep trespassers from coming through.” He stated there had been issues. “I’ve had a few pieces of little bitty equipment that went missing.” Johnson also told how he maintains the Memorial Wall.
He also answering questions about the farm equipment, stating he leased the property specifically as an auction yard. “As far as the equipment that’s sitting out there, a lot of that equipment is already sold. Some of [them] was coming to get it when Helene hit, and it’s got to go to North Carolina.”
For other news concerning the Leslie City Council, see the companion piece Leslie City Council hears concerns over water and sees new municipal court judge sworn in.