Many “Pain Management” signs collected from the roadside by the Sheriff’s office on Friday morning. (AJ Pierce, RN-T.com)
In a memorandum to deputies, Burkhalter called and assigned deputies to “remove any and all signage as it relates to pain management found on the side edges or adjacent to any roadway.”
“These signs just came out last week,” Burkhalter said. “We can’t wait until next Wednesday. How many kids will see it before then?”
The signs include a number for Woodstock clinic called “Pain Management and Wellness Clinic.”
Myron Green, who works at the clinic, said he had a sign company put them out and if he knew the signs were going to be a problem he would have had the sign company pick them up.
According to Floyd County Manager Blaine Williams the building inspector’s office picks up the signs, which are illegal because they are on the right-of-way.
Burkhalter said a lot of people are exposed to the signs that don’t need to be.
“We have two hospitals and hundreds of doctors in Floyd County,” Burkhalter said. “Why would anyone have to drive to Woodstock to get medicine?”
Burkhalter compared the issue of pain management clinics to the video gaming machines that were an issue a few years ago. Prescription drug abuse and so-called “pill mills” are a statewide problem, he said.
“We stood around and turned our heads with these video gaming machines,” he said.
“Now look at the mess we got.”
Burkhalter said he would keep the signs at the sheriff’s office for a few days in case the company wants to pick them up.
If Obama is the answer, I don't want to hear the question.
To me just another waste of taxpayers money !!
I believe what the Sheriff was saying is that THIS time he has something he can do, and he's not going to avoid controversy at the cost of doing the right thing.
Would've been much simpler to shrug his shoulders and say "Duh, that's some other department's responsibility"
Good job Sheriff Burkhalter. You have my vote. (I already voted)
That being said, since when is it within the purview of the sheriff's office to decide where I or anyone should go to seek medical services?
And we can't wait for the building inspector’s office to pick up the signs because of the children? I'm sorry...What?
All the sheriff has done here is to come off sounding like the chief legal official of Mayberry and not of a bustling metropolis home to two hospitals and hundreds of doctors.
“We stood around and turned our heads with these video gaming machines,” he said.
“Now look at the mess we got.”
well get the trucks and load some boys up and fix it.. simple enough!!