Date: 11-22-2017
The lengthy saga involving horse manure in the city of Auburn is over, at least for the Amish population who travel through the town on a daily basis. For those in the community who have complained about poop on the streets, the problem is sure to continue.
“This is excellent news,” said Travis Lock, attorney for the Amish. “I hope this means my clients and all members of the Amish can go about living their peaceful lives among other members in the community without feeling they are being singled out. I applaud the city council for taking such a positive step forward. It is a good day for all members of the Auburn community.”
With a 4-1 vote, the ordinance that saw well over 100 violations in a four year period, was amended Monday, Nov. 13, taking out a requirement that all large animals that travel through Auburn be outfitted with collection devices.
Council members Thelma Cottrell, Steve Montgomery, Claude Tisdale and Ricky Heflin voted in favor of the amendment, with councilman Rex Evans voting no. Bobby Price, who voted no on the first reading to amend, was absent Monday night.
In 2014, the city council voted unanimously to amend its animal ordinance to include collection devises. The council took action when the city failed to get the Amish to clean up the manure their horses dump on the streets.
Current mayor, Mike Hughes said this issue was waiting for him when he came on board to lead the city.
“This is an issue that has been around long before I got here. To my understanding the city has been battling this issue for years and years,” said Hughes.
The city, according to Hughes, has tried for a long time to come to a compromise with the Amish about cleaning up after their horses. Hughes said the city has received many complaints about the manure. There have been many meetings between Auburn’s mayors and the Amish, but to no avail. After the council passed the ordinance requiring devices, it still did not stop the problem, as most who came through Auburn with their buggies refused to use the devices.
Some members of the Amish community said they felt they were being picked on. They said the devices would “spook” their horses and be a safety issue. They also claimed the law was “against their religious beliefs.”
“The council has spoken with their vote. I am hopeful the manure will not continue to accumulate keeping this an issue,” Hughes said. “We need to remember above all, these are our neighbors and friends.”
Auburn’s Police Chief Larry Jones has taken fire over the years for enforcing the law set forth by the council. A lot of the fingers have been pointed at the cheif by both the Amish and those who did not agree with the law.
“It’s important to note that I did not pass this law, but once it became a law, it was my job to enforce it. It is my responsibility to enforce all laws in this city. I understand I was the one who caught a lot of flack, but that is okay. It is part of the job sometimes,” said Jones.
Numerous cases involving Amish who have received citations have gone through the judicial system. A father and son spent over a week in jail after being found guilty of a violation and refused to pay the $50 fine associated with the offense plus court costs. Many Amish have chosen to go before a jury and many have been found guilty. There are 30 plus violations currently in the court system scheduled for Jan. 31, 2018.
By Chris Cooper
News Democrat & Leader
