County fathers hear the people’s voice–very loudly

The crowd that gathered to make its way into Oconee County Council chambers was an indication that the council was about to hear a direct message from some of its citizenry.  And, during the comment session, speaker-after-speaker addressed property rights.  In the end, the council members made clear there’s nothing wrong with their hearing.  One controversial proposed ordinance restricting signs in a designated lake corridor failed on a final reading in a vote of 1 in favor, 4 against, with District One’s John Elliott casting the one vote in favor.  Another proposed ordinance establishing building design standards in a traffic corridor left council members asking the county attorney, “How do we kill this thing?”  By far, most speakers at last night’s hearings on the ordinance were opposed.