The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
PO Box 850, 71 Webb Lane
Buena Vista, GA 31803
229-649-6397
tjournal@alltel.net

By RICHARD HARRIS
(From the Sept. 27, 2006 issue)
   Opponents of Marion County’s new roadside garbage service, which will begin early next month, filed a petition with the Marion County Probate Judge’s Office last Thursday, Sept. 21.
   The petitioners are requesting that the probate judge validate the petition and call for a voter referendum to allow residents an opportunity to vote to repeal the County Commission’s decision to start the roadside service.
   Bryant Vaughn, one of the petition organizers, says the petition was signed by at least 963 people “in a good faith effort with the hope of having an opportunity to be heard on this matter.”
   Probate Judge James “Bump” Welch said he is reviewing the petition, but that it would be improper for him to comment further on it at this time.
   The newspaper reviewed the petition, which includes 30 pages of signatures and/or printed names. Some lines have names, signatures, phone numbers and addresses, but others have only printed names without signatures, while some have signatures without accompanying printed names to tell whose signature it is. At least one signature appears twice.
   One person who signed the petition apparently does not agree with its contents and wanted to try his (or her) hand at a bit of humor. Beside this ineligible signature is the sentence, “I think everyone should have to have