Audio of an exchange between Republican candidate for commissioner Andy Allen and Chattooga County’s Attorney Chris Corbin indicates that the subdivision ordinance adopted by Commissioner Blake Elsberry does not protect property buyers.  The commissioner says that he differs with the county attorney’s opinion about the ordinance.

The recording was made at a hearing for the adoption of the commissioner’s revamped and renamed land use ordinance, which he is now calling a “Subdivision Ordinance”.  Allen can be heard asking the county attorney if the new legislation protects those who purchase property from fraud.

Corbin replies “It’s not.  People commit fraud every day…..that’s (the subdivision ordinance) not going to cover it”.

Commissioner Elsberry says he does not agree with the county attorney’s assessment of the ordinance.  Elsberry said, “The county attorney said in his statement the ordinance does not stop fraud. He is accurate in that statement however, the seat belt law does not stop people from not wearing their seat belts, DUI laws do not stop people from drinking and driving, and shoplifting laws do not prevent people from shoplifting. Where the county attorney and I differ in our opinion is I believe this subdivision ordinance is a great deterrent for stopping fraud like we have seen from reoccurring in the future and it definitely gives us the ability to be aware of what’s going on before the process gets too far”.