In Rockdale County, Georgia, Tim Thompson has been passionately collecting cars for an astonishing 45 years. "I began with the classic Model A's and gradually expanded my collection," he shared. Over the past two decades, as Georgia's movie business boomed, his hobby transformed into a thriving business. He started renting out retro cars to movies and TV shows, adding a new dimension to his automotive passion.

Code Violations and Financial Burden

This year, however, Thompson faced a significant setback. He was hit with 73 code violations, with many arguing that his cars violated Conyers' junk cars regulations. "It's not the citations themselves that worry me; it's the substantial amount of money involved," he expressed. According to court paperwork, if he doesn't address the issues, he could owe more than $21,000. Even if he gets his property in compliance, he still owes the city nearly $11,000.

City Attorney's Perspective

Conyers City Attorney Carrie Bootcheck emphasized the importance of enforcing ordinances without bias. "A car is considered to violate city policy if it is parked or stored outside with issues such as being wrecked, partially dismantled, having flat tires, or lacking a valid license plate," she explained. The policy is aimed at safeguarding public safety. "If a vehicle isn't in use, rainwater can accumulate, leading to mosquito breeding and disease transmission. If it remains unmoved, tall grass grows, attracting rodents and snakes, posing a public safety hazard," she added.

Thompson's Defense

Thompson pointed out that most of his cars are operational but are working on obtaining the proper tags and titles. He told Channel 2 Action News that some cars didn't have tags because they were only used on movie sets. He feels frustrated as there were no public complaints against his property and believes the policy is unfair. Nevertheless, he is committed to becoming compliant to continue his hobby and business. "Since I love what I do, I will do what is necessary to meet the requirements," he stated.