Georgia sheriff defends "politically incorrect" welcome sign

HARRIS COUNTY, Ga. — A new sign on public property put up by the Harris County sheriff is getting attention from across the country.

The sign posted Tuesday by six-term Sheriff Mike Jolley reads, ”Welcome to Harris County, Georgia! WARNING: Harris County is politically incorrect. We say: Merry Christmas, God Bless America and In God We Trust; we salute our troops and our flag. If this offends you…LEAVE!"

The sheriff says he paid $553 for the sign out of his own pocket.

"There should be nothing on that sign that offends anyone,” Jolley said.

But not all residents agree.

"It's on taxpayer funded public property, and I'm a taxpayer. It certainly doesn't reflect my belief,” said Peggy Roblyer.

Roblyer says if the sign were in the sheriff's yard that would be fine, but in front of the sheriff's office isn’t. She admits, though, that those opposed in Harris County are in the minority and they won't be able to bring it down.

"This is Sheriff Jolley's 15 minutes of fame.  He's not gonna do anything until somebody high up tells him to,” Roblyer said.

The sheriff does expect to take some flak over this, especially the part that says “if this offends you, leave."

"Are there some haters? Sure. I believe people would complain if they won a million dollars. They'd be mad if they had to pay taxes,” Jolley said. “If it offends you, if the words on that truly offend you, maybe you're in the wrong place."

Harris County Manager Greg Wood told Channel 2’s Berndt Petersen the county attorney does not believe the sign violates any laws.

Wood says Jolley informed the County Commission before he put it up, but the sheriff does not answer to the commission.

WSBTV