The City witnessed the adage of “One man’s treasure is another man’s trash” when the council met in special session June 26 to hear concerns of businessman Ray Cage.
Cage sought the meeting after he received a $12,000 bill for an ordinance-driven cleanup of his 4-acre property on Cotton Street. “You said it was cleanup. I said it was punishment. They came on the back of my property where nobody can see. Behind my building. They took equipment and I didn’t get anything for it.”
City inspector Andre Bass said the unsightly property has been an ongoing problem. “If you read the ordinance, we’re doing exactly what we’re supposed to do. We have done the same with other people.” He said the city had sent official notification to Cage each year for the past four years (except during COVID).
Cage pointed out that the last notice was July 2024. “That’s a long time” to wait before this most recent action. He explained that he uses this property to do his work. “I never stop working to fix and repair stuff. I’m steadily working to improve things.”
The landowner complained that the city’s action against him is the result of a personal issue from a neighbor. “Why just me? Look around the community. You don’t have to go to a 4-acre tract where nobody can see. Cleanup is one thing but attack, abuse, that’s something else. Is that right? You represent the people.”
“Yes, we represent the people,” replied council member Chiquita Caldwell. “They’re complaining. I didn’t hear anything” about the city’s cleanup plans.
“Maybe it’s trash to you but it’s not trash to me. I fix things. My reason for coming here tonight is to hear the opinions of the other councilmen. Is this right? I want to see if they agree.” But other members said little.
“OK, if you think this is right, we’ll have to do something else,” he said. He mentioned his attorney had made contact with City Attorney Clay Carroll but had not received a reply. “OK, we’ve heard your voice,” said Mayor Gerald Hamms to Cage, drawing the discussion to a close. “You have your attorney, the city has its attorney.”
“At this point, if you’re talking about attorneys, we should leave it with them,” suggested councilman Matt Miller. “I’ll take my direction from legal advice.”
“So we’ll fight this out in court,” concluded Cage. He thanked the City Council to taking the time to meet with him.
