Hearing to Discuss Water and Sewer Shutoff With Mobile Home Park Owner is Open to Public

A show cause hearing the Oconee County Utility Department is conducting for the property owner of Pinewood Estates South mobile home park on Thursday will be open to the public.

to all 112 lots in the park on Old Epps Bridge Road by Jan. 13, 2012, if outstanding utility bills totaling more than $150,000 aren't paid, officials announced last week.

The property owner ceased payment for water and sewer in August 2010, but still collected payment from residents of the Pinewoods Estates South mobile home park, according to the county. In April, a lawsuit was filed in Gwinnett County against Georgia General Kipling Land, LLC and its managing member Maxie Price.

Attorney Thomas Mitchell is representing Oconee County in the suit. He says a show cause hearing at 10 a.m. on Nov. 17 will be open to the public. It will take place in the office of Chris Thomas, director of utilities, located at 1291 Greensboro Highway.

"We'll figure out how to accommodate the numbers if there are any folks that come. But it will not be a closed meeting," he said.

Residents have been sent notices in English and Spanish, Mitchell said. Meetings to address questions or concerns are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Nov. 28 and Dec. 12 at the .

Calls to attorneys representing the defendants have not been returned.