Heir, county are negotiating over vehicles in yard

The recent death of a Martinez man has left many wondering what might be-come of the cars filling his Flintrock Way property.

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Guy Terry Jr., a retired Army lieutenant colonel, died Aug. 19 at age 73. During his years living on Flintrock Way, Terry accumulated numerous vehicles and was battling in court to keep the cars.

Columbia County officials had cited Terry for land-use violations for keeping inoperable vehicles at his home, said Jamie Weston, an attorney representing the county.

Instead of settling the issue, Terry, with his son, Guy Terry III, as his attorney, had requested a jury trial, and the matter was sent to Superior Court.

Though the issue is still unresolved, the criminal charges against Guy Terry Jr. no longer exist.

"Essentially, when a defendant passes away, there is nothing to pursue in the criminal aspect of the case," Weston said. "Our intention is to continue to work with Mr. Terry, the son ... to clean up the lot; to do what needs to be done in terms of getting the cars that are not operable removed."

As executor of his father's estate, Guy Terry III, of Valdosta, said that he would like to remove the vehicles but that he doubts he can do so immediately.

"I don't intend to live there, but I'm not going to give them away," he said. "It's going to take awhile to conform, even if they're nonconforming, which (we intended to contest with) our defense."

Weston and Guy Terry III said they both hope to settle the issue outside of a courtroom.

Before Guy Terry Jr.'s death, Weston said the case likely would have gone to mediation.

Guy Terry III said Thursday that he hopes to speak with Weston to discuss the issue.

Should negotiations fail, Weston said, it could wind up back in court.

"We hope to be able to resolve the matter in terms of cleaning up the lot ... short of filing a lawsuit," he said. "If necessary, we will consider taking the necessary steps through civil litigation."