PUBLIC SAFETY SHOULD BE AIM OF COUNTY'S NUISANCE ORDINANCE

The Cape Girardeau County Commission has made the first use of its newly acquired power to write ordinances. The commissioners are considering a nuisance law, which would give the county power to act on complaints of stray animals, littering, junk cars and other annoyances.

Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones said these kinds of troubles make up the majority of complaints the county receives.

Sometimes, the matters go beyond mere annoyance. In the past, the county has had its hands tied in cases of dogs that menace and even bite adults and children.

But commissioners should take it slow with this ordinance. As the first one, it will be watched closely by county residents. The county must be careful not to make a nuisance of itself in citizens' lives.

The proposed ordinance would establish a county animal control officer. The wrong kind of person could prove a real irritant if he/she locked up every dog running loose and fined pet owners left and right. This freedom to run is one reason pet owners choose to live in the county.

Even with litter and junk cars, the county should act on complaints that allow it to ease into nuisance enforcement. The key consideration should be public safety.

This nuisance ordinance has nothing to do with planning and zoning. A separate commission is at work on this issue. To implement county zoning and planning, a vote of the residents would be required.

Although the two are unrelated, residents will be watching the new county ordinance powers closely.

Many residents chose to live in the county because of the absence of all the rules and regulations that often accompany city life. That's why some people are down on planning and zoning. They don't like the fact local government has to approve every little change made to their property.

The commission could win a lot of points if this new ordinance-writing power is used to help relieve problems without nitpicking. Such a trend would be embraced when talk of planning and zoning resurfaces.