Dollar General Store won’t mow their grass

Jasper — The city billed the Dollar General Store on the north side of Jasper $1322.50 for labor and equipment fees to mow the grass on the store’s property.

According to Fire Chief and Code Enforcement Officer Kenny Hochgesang, the store manager has been approached about mowing the grass on the property, but the manager has stated it is company policy to not mow the grass.

Hochgesang sent a certified letter to the corporation’s headquarters in Goodlettsville, Tennessee on May 1 and it was certified received on May 5. The city waited for the store to take action and after they didn’t for the standard five days, the city took action. On May 14, the street department mowed the grass.

Although the store has been billed for the city’s time and equipment, according to Street Commissioner Raymie Eckerle, this pulls those city employees and the heavy equipment from other city jobs that need completed.

Three street department employees were used to complete the mowing of the property using heavier equipment because of the height of the grass. It took those three individuals a full day to complete the work.

It took a full day due to the grass having not been cut the entire season. The crew had to cut and rake the grass clippings twice. 

City Attorney Renee Kabrick stated she would contact the chain stores corporate headquarters about the policy to hopefully remedy the situation.

In a statement from Crystal W. Ghassemi, Dollar General Corporation Corporate Communications, it is the company’s policy to have routine lawn maintenance performed on Dollar General stores.  “Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication with our lawn maintenance contractor,” she said, “and after being notified of the situation, we have taken steps to ensure this store properly reflects the pleasant shopping experience our customers expect from Dollar General.”