Cherokee County Commission Amends Litter Ordinance

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Commercial trash trucks and haulers for hire will need to make sure their trucks are covered or they will face fines in Cherokee County.

Chief Marshal Jamie Gianfala presented an ordinance amendment that would sanction haulers and their affiliated companies that fail to secure their truck coverings before traveling Cherokee’s roadways. In one month, the marshal’s office stopped 112 commercial trucks due to uncovered loads.

“We are not trying to pick on large commercial vehicles. We want them to be our partners. We just ask them to do things the right way and secure the contents of their vehicles,” he told commissioners.

Gianfala said what the marshal’s office typically sees are the commercial trash-transfer trucks and junk removal services that are hired to haul away various household items from homes traveling with uncovered loads that distribute trash along the highways.

“The intent of this amendment is to reduce the litter on Cherokee County roadways," Gianfala said. "We have a beautiful county with beautiful parks, top-notch law enforcement, and an overall great community. No one wants to see trash littering our beautiful county.”

The Board of Commissioners held a public hearing at its Feb. 2 meeting. Randy Cox, who lives near the landfill off East Cherokee Drive, spoke, commending Gianfala and the board of commissioners for taking up the ordinance amendment.

“I have lived in Creekside since 2014. The amount of trash that is seen on our main thoroughfare is not good. Plus, there is a safety factor that is involved with trash flying out of the trucks after they leave the facility. I’m glad this ordinance is being brought to the commissioners tonight,” Cox said, adding he believes the fines should be “hefty” in order to “get their attention.”

The chief magistrate of the county sets the fines for county ordinances.

District 1 Commissioner Steve West assisted with developing the amendment and worked with Chief Magistrate Judge James Drane. Included in the motion to approve the amendment was a statement saying 30 percent of the fines collected for violation of this ordinance would go to the nonprofit, Keep Cherokee Beautiful.

The board approved, 5-0, the amendment to the ordinance, following the public hearing. West made the motion to approve, which was seconded by District 2 Commissioner Richard Weatherby.

The chief marshal also told commissioners that they would use electronic display signs to inform of the ordinance amendment near the landfills. They also plan to work with the sheriff’s office and communications division to get the messaging out on social media. Additionally, Gianfala said his office would offer a more-than-30-day grace period to allow for the educational efforts.

District 4 Commissioner Corey Ragsdale and District 3 Commissioner Benny Carter encouraged county staff to work with the landfills to ensure permanent signage is installed at the landfill exits across the county.