Anniston council adopts new abatement ordinance

During Monday night's Anniston City Council meeting, city leaders voted on an ordinance authorizing the council to order the abatement of a property that is considered the source of repeated criminal activity.  Council members say this is to send a message, that the city will not tolerate landlords who continue to allow people to move into their properties and commit repeated crimes. The most common being drug offenses.  A six step process must take place before the city manager would issue a nuisance abatement.

The city council also made a decision about signage on city property and that includes Confederate flags.  The ordinance has been on the books for some time, but the city wanted to bring it up again to make sure it will be enforced. During the meeting, four voted in favor of the ordinance with David Reddick abstaining. Council member Millie Harris says this is not meant to take away from people's heritage. "We do not want to interfere with someone's first amendment rights to display the Confederate flag on their private property, or anywhere they want to, as long as it's on their own property. But this is public property." The biggest area in question is the median of Quintard Avenue. At the intersection of 12th street and Quintard stands a monument to Major John Pelham. During the month of April, confederate flags and wreaths are placed here. Harris says the city has received many calls from people offended by the flags.