A long-standing situation involving what’s now been legally ruled a “junkyard” along US 79 in east Rock-dale is not over.
Last week the Milam County Sheriff’s Department seized items from the All Service Propane site, in the 1300 block of East Cameron Avenue, and plans to sell them in May for back taxes.
And the City of Rockdale is “looking at other options” in regard to the property.
‘JUNKYARD’—On March 20, a Milam County Jury found Ira Richard “Richie” Thrasher, 42, guilty of six counts of keeping a junkyard within 1,000 feet of a highway, a Class C misdemeanor.
Judge Dave Barkemeyer fi ned Thrasher $500 on each charge, a total of $3,000, and also assessed court costs.
Also that day, Thrasher was advised by the sheriff’s department city and county taxes were owed on the property and the department quickly took action on that aspect of the situation.
Chief Deputy Chris White told The Reporter property was seized from the Thrasher place under a “writ execution” fi led through the Milam County Clerk’s offi ce and granted last November by 20th District Court Judge John Youngblood.
Items seized have included a propane truck, dump truck and Bobcat skid steer loader.
White said the writ, which is under the name of the business and not any individual, references business machinery, vehicles and inventory property.
“It does not include the land,” he said.
SALE—White said items will be sold at 10 a.m. May 8 on the east steps of the Milam County Courthouse in Cameron.
He said the back taxes continue to accrue interest and by the time of the sale should be approximately $8,984.
“That does not include other costs associated with executing the writ including tow services, storage bills etc,” he said.
Thrasher had appealed the case from municipal court to the county court level.
Prosecutor Bill Torrey said the county alleged the properties at the All Services Propane site were “kept in such a way that it was a junkyard.”
Assistant District Attorney Kyle Nuttall argued Thrasher “did not take the necessary steps to screen the property so that it was not visible from the US 79.”
“Although he had fencing along most of the property, the piles reached heights above the fence,” Nuttall said.
OPTIONS—City Manger Chris Whittaker said city offi cials had repeatedly called the land owner’s attention to the property’s condition.
The property is adjacent to a home which burned March 3, 2017, but Whittaker said the suit was not related to the fi re damage.
Whittaker said the city was “pleased” with the outcome of the recent trial and was “reviewing its options” in regard to any further action concerning the property.”
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