BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County Solid Waste Board extended grace to Larry Oaks, a disabled U.S. Armed Forces veteran, after levying $9,300 in fines against him at a rate of $100 per day since September.
The board agreed in a December meeting to “freeze” further fines while Oaks wraps up cleanup efforts on his property along Route 40 in Tomahawk.
Chairman Greg Murphy proposed that Oaks pay $100 of the fine. He recommended the board defer the remaining amount for up to two years, contingent on full compliance with the county’s solid waste ordinance. Taking the advice of Assistant Martin County Attorney Lynette Muncy, the board delayed a vote to defer the fine until Oaks removes all dilapidated vehicles from the property.
The board plans to revisit the issue at its next meeting Feb. 5 and has requested Oaks to attend.
Until then, no additional fines will accrue, provided Oaks continues the cleanup.
The property first came under scrutiny in the summer of 2024 when Martin County Code Enforcement Officer Paul McCoy reported abandoned vehicles, a pontoon boat, trailers and scattered debris. Despite gradual progress — including the removal of several truckloads of smaller items — the newly formed board issued its first-ever fine on Sept. 4 against Oaks.
McCoy, who had documented Oaks’ cleanup efforts with photos, advocated patience, citing the veteran’s limited resources and persistent effort.
“He’s been keeping it clean,” McCoy said in August. “Why impose fines on people who can’t even afford them? We should work with him.”
Martin County Solid Waste Coordinator Eric Phelps and Attorney Muncy supported McCoy’s stance, emphasizing collaboration over punishment.
Oaks’ difficulties stem largely from health and logistical challenges. In a July meeting, he recounted that he and his wife lived in the home across from Sulphur Springs Church until 12 inches of floodwaters entered the house and rendered it uninhabitable.
That flood and subsequent floods shifted items around on the property and deposited debris. Burglars compounded the problem, Oaks said, by breaking into the home and then leaving items that they did not want in the yard.
“I need time to get it done,” Oaks said. “I have limited help but have made an effort to get two trailer loads of debris and things out of there.”
Oaks relies on supplemental oxygen and suffers from pulmonary blood clots.
“I’ve had health issues the last three years,” he said. “I have blood clots in my lungs right now and I’m limited to what I can do.”
Board members assured Oaks that they were there to help.
“That’s my issue—finding help to get it done,” said Oaks.
Officials enlisted the aid of a local missionary organization. Though assistance was delayed until October, Oaks continued removing items, including four vehicles, from his property.
By December, Phelps confirmed that Oaks had “kept his word” and cleaned up the property. Only a few automobiles remained and Oaks was waiting for a local hauler to remove them. A family death delayed the hauler, according to Phelps.
In other business, the board voted to reduce the frequency of its meetings from monthly to every other month on even-numbered months. The next session is on tap for Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. in the Martin County Government Center.
Separately, Phelps announced a tire disposal initiative. Residents can drop off old tires at the county road and bridge department on Tomahawk Road in Inez, where a trailer is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Just speak with the secretary and let her know the number of tires you’re dropping off,” Phelps said.
The trailer will remain until full.