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BY CHELYEN DAVIS
RICHMOND
--If you live in Spotsylvania and you're especially slack about mowing the lawn, the county could soon have something to say about it.The state Senate yesterday approved a bill that adds Spotsylvania County to the list of localities allowed to pass ordinances regarding grass cutting. Stafford County is already one of the counties on the list.
The law would apply to grass or lawn areas that are less than half an acre, and would kick in once the grass is a foot tall or higher. Violations of the ordinance could earn the landowner a civil penalty of up to $100.
The bill was put in by Del. Bobby Orrock, R-Caroline, who said he normally votes against such bills himself, believing them to cross the line between the powers of government and individual rights.
As a rule, Orrock said, "Government doesn't have any business telling me I've got to cut my grass."
But, he said, Spotsylvania's supervisors asked him to put in the bill, and so he complied. Orrock said Spotsylvania's population is growing, and he recognizes that "outward appearances do impact on everyone in the community" and their property values.
His bill passed the House 75-23, and also ran into some opposition in the Senate, where it nearly died before being revived and passed by a 31-8 vote yesterday. Orrock said most of the opponents probably felt the way he did about government intrusion.
"I respect their opinion. I used to be with 'em," he said.
Sen. Edd Houck, D-Spotsylvania, said he might have a conflict of interest on the bill "since I don't keep my grass cut too well."
The bill inspired some bad puns during the brief Senate discussion yesterday.
"This is a weeds bill. Let's wade through it," said Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, introducing Orrock's bill and a similar bill for Winchester.
"We certainly mowed those bills down today" said Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling after the vote.
Chelyen Davis: 540/368-5028
Email: cdavis@freelancestar.com
