Junkyard Owners Receive Hefty Fine
By David Howell
Editor
COFFEEVILLE – A couple who own property in northwest Yalobusha County where junk cars have been stored were hit with hefty fines in justice court on Dec. 11 after they were found guilty of not applying for a county permit to operate a junkyard.
Justice Court Judge Steve Riley ordered James Davis and Daisy Davis to pay $500 each, plus $417.50 in court costs after handing down the guilty verdict. The defendants were also ordered to pay $500 each, for each day that the property is not in compliance with the county ordinance. The five-acre tract of property is located between Hwy. 51 and County Road 29 and has been a topic in multiple county meetings this year after county supervisors requested the owners to appear before the board on the matter.
The couple were charged after District 4 Supervisor Timothy Booker signed an affidavit in August stating the couple did not apply for a permit nor comply with the ordinance’s guidelines that require the junkyard to be screened by natural objects, plantings or fences that are at least eight feet tall and enclose it so the property is not accessible to children or others not authorized by the owners.
The case was on the justice court docket in October, but the court agreed to a continuance after learning the owners did not receive earlier correspondence from supervisors that was sent to their Batesville attorney regarding the matter. In November Daisy Davis requested to be on the meeting agenda for the Board of Supervisors and reiterated that she had not received any correspondence from county officials since January. She also explained that she requested to attend the meeting to make sure she had a clear understanding of the requirements in the county’s ordinance so the property could be brought into compliance.
Daisy Davis also explained to supervisors that she and her husband operate a wrecker service in Batesville and they store cars on the property in Yalobusha County.
After the Dec. 11 verdict, the couple paid $2,000 for two days that the property was not in compliance with the county’s junkyard ordinance, according to court documents. The property was brought into compliance on Dec. 14 after numerous vehicles were removed from the property.
