Wanda McKinnon finally got the deal she wanted from a local store.
After waiting over almost a year and filing several complaints for representatives from Dollar General to make repairs to a ramshackle petition fence next to her property in the 7000 block of Arkabutla Road, McKinnon’s persistence paid off.
“Is it perfect? Not at all, but it’s better than it’s ever been,” she said.
McKinnon originally voiced her concerns to the Tate County Board of Supervisors in October 2022 regarding the poor condition of the fence and high grass and out of control kudzu on the north and west sides of the Dollar General building. She reappeared before Supervisors last month when Tony Townsend, district manager for Dollar General, was also in attendance.
That’s when county leaders issued an ultimatum to Townsend and Dollar General to make necessary fence repairs and clean up the property or face possible legal action due to zoning and permit nuisance violations.
“They sent some people out a few weeks ago to cut the tall brush and get rid of the kudzu growing over the fence,” McKinnon explained.
Several sections of the neglected petition fence were leaning towards McKinnon’s property causing an unsightly blight, which eventually led to her initial complaints to Supervisors with a plea for help.
Dollar General, which leases the property from a third party, rectified the issues with the problematic fence earlier this month by adding eight new posts anchored in concrete to bolster the leaning sections and replacing several of the shabby boards.
“I am satisfied for now because the fence does look better,” McKinnon added. “I have a feeling it’s going to lean again, and I fear I am going to have to start all over from scratch to get it repaired. County attorney John Lamar told me to come back before the Board of Supervisors if there are any more problems.”
McKinnon is grateful for the assistance from several groups in getting the ball rolling for the fence repairs and cleanup of the property.
“I can’t thank the Supervisors and John Lamar enough for what they’ve done,” McKinnon said. “I am also very appreciative of the Tate Record for bringing attention to this problem and letting everyone know what a pain it’s been from day one to get something done.”
