GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga.,None — The inclusion of one word in a funeral home's new sign has outraged some homeowners in Gwinnett County.
Hundreds of residents rallied and convinced county commissioners to block a crematory at Bill Head Funeral Home in Tucker back in 2010.
However, a sign installed at the site in January reads "Bill Head Funeral Home & Crematory."
Some residents who never wanted the facility near their homes said the sign suggests that there is a crematory on site and could hurt their property values.
"We don't want the problem of having to sell our property, but not being able to do so because no one wants to locate next to a crematory," said Tucker resident Tia Severino.
Funeral home owner Bill Head invited Channel 2 Action News Reporter Carl Willis into the business and showed him his licenses.
Head said that the sign simply displayed the full registered name of his company.
He said he did not intend to imply that there was a crematory at the facility at 6101 Lawrenceville Highway.
"Code enforcement came, inspected the property and found no crematory," he said.
Severino was not satisfied with that explanation.
"We get that, but why don't we be transparent and let the public know that it's cremation services that you're offering, not an actual crematory on site," she said.
In 2010, hundreds of neighbors rallied against the crematory being moved from its current location at 5005 Lawrenceville Highway in Lilburn.
They said they were concerned that it would be too close to schools and homes.
They said the new sign seems like an attempt to skirt the commission's vote.
"It's not possible for him to pack up and leave," said neighbor Ben Roberson. "But I would just want some truth in advertising."
"It's going against the decision, which was to deny the crematory," added Severino.