Douglas County officials visited a farmer Thursday night to see whether he was complying with a temporary business permit, but took no action after the farmer told him he was open past the daily time on the permit.
"I haven't been arrested. I'm still here," said Richard Strong, who began operating a haunted maze in a cornfield on Wednesday.
Strong's permit says he must close at 8 p.m. But he has received legal advice that he can stay open later, he said.
Strong said that Keith Dabney, county director of zoning and codes, arrived at his place at 1919 N. 1500 Road with a Douglas County sheriff's deputy about 8:30 p.m.
"They just asked me if I was staying open past 8 p.m. and I said, 'Yes I am.' They said, 'OK' and then left."
Dabney did not return telephone messages left at his home Thursday.
Douglas County Sheriff's Sgt. David Brown said that officers have no court order to arrest Strong and that the brief meeting with him "went without incident."
Dabney has said that if Strong violated his temporary business permit, he would take the matter to the county commission, seeking to revoke the permit.
Meanwhile, Strong said people were having fun Thursday night on his field, which he wants to keep open through Halloween.
He is charging admission.
"We're having a great time," he said. "I had about 20 people come by tonight."
-- Michael Dekker's phone message number is 832-7187. His e-mail address is mdekker@ljworld.com.
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