Reader advisory: This article includes references to censored profanity, sexual comments, and emotionally charged language from recorded interactions. While explicit words have been partially censored, some language may still be suggestive. Reader discretion is advised.
When The Country Kitchen announced its permanent closure in a Facebook post last week, the explanation ignited outrage on social media across Lamar County, metro-Atlanta, middle Georgia, and beyond.
In the post, the restaurant accused a Lamar County employee of verbally abusing restaurant employees and acting unprofessionally during an inspection.
When they exited their vehicles, Mr. Buddy Lanier immediately began verbally cursing at my young female employees, asking who owned the f—ing business and stating that he was going to shut the f—ing business down and that they needed to get in their f—ing cars and go home…This behavior toward my employees was completely unacceptable and unprofessional. With several witnesses, we will be filing a police report.
The Country Kitchen, Facebook
The claim was widely shared and repeated by several larger media outlets.
But body camera footage released by the Lamar County Board of Commissioners now shows that the allegation was incorrect, and the restaurant’s co-owner is now apologizing.
What Actually Happened at The Country Kitchen
The inspection visits were prompted by alarming septic system failures at The Country Kitchen, including repeated overflows and raw sewage observed on the ground and toward a nearby creek, a stream that bends behind and around the restaurant and empties into nearby Tobler Creek. These waters eventually find their way to the Flint River and ultimately into the Gulf of Mexico, raising environmental concerns.
On December 19 and again on January 9, officials from the Georgia Department of Public Health and Lamar County visited the property.
Those officials included:
- Brett Sims, Environmental Inspector, Georgia Department of Public Health
- Mark Evans, Lamar County Code Enforcement
- Buddy Lanier, Lamar County Chief Building Inspector
The Health Department, a state agency that is separate from the county government, has authority over food service closures. County code officials accompanied the inspections.
Lamar County’s Response
The Barnesville Buzz requested a statement from Lamar County. Chairman Ryran Traylor submitted the following response on behalf of the Lamar County Board of Commissioners:
The Lamar County Board of Commissioners is aware of the recent closure of the Country Kitchen Restaurant and the related social media posts.
Fortunately, the Lamar County Code Enforcement Officer was wearing a body camera during the site visits with the restaurant. We have completed a review of body camera footage and determined that the complaint regarding county employee conduct is unfounded. The county’s Chief Building Inspector did not use profanity and did not act in a disrespectful or unprofessional manner toward any Country Kitchen employees or owners.
Lamar County staff issued a Certificate of Occupancy in November, allowing the restaurant to open. On December 19, county staff accompanied an Environmental Health Specialist with the Lamar County Health Department, which conducted the inspection. County staff later accompanied the Environmentalist again on Friday January 9th. All inspection reports, citations, and enforcement actions were completed and issued by the Health Department.
Lamar County’s role was limited to coordination and assistance. The Health Department is a state agency, and neither the City of Barnesville nor the Lamar County Board of Commissioners has the authority to overturn Health Department citations or closures. However, we will continue to facilitate a working relationship between government agencies and our private businesses.
It is disappointing to see disrespectful and threatening comments directed toward county employees and their families. County employees were present solely to serve and protect the citizens of our community.
What Does Body Camera Footage Reveal?
Lamar County released its evidence in four YouTube videos. The first interaction took place on December 19, 2025 in the late morning. The second interaction occurred on the morning of January 9, 2026. Code Enforcement Officer Mark Evans’ body camera footage documents the officials’ repeated observation of septic system failures at The Country Kitchen and escalating frustration from the restaurant’s owners.
In the footage, the officials speak of raw feces and toilet paper being visible on the ground. They pointed out evidence of recent overflow and backup and suggested that the system was undersized for the volume needed for the restaurant. When asked if daily pumping would keep the restaurant open, the officials stated that pumping alone could not prevent continued overflow, and that a permanent solution would have to be in place before food service could resume.
Officials can be heard explaining calmly and repeatedly that the restaurant cannot operate while sewage is being discharged into the ground and the creek bordering the property, and that a new septic system would be required before reopening.
Even though the county officials and DPH inspector remain professional, by contrast, the footage shows the restaurant’s co-owners becoming increasingly upset.
According to the footage, co-owner Buddy Talley can be heard yelling, clapping his hands, and using profanity toward officials. In one exchange, he accuses them of having a “hard-on” for the business and says he is “f—ing sick of it,” while insisting the system will work once a pump is replaced. He repeatedly demanded to be allowed to reopen after pumping the system, saying he would “prove it works” and “send it to the news.”
At another point, Talley alleges that one official has a personal vendetta against the business, suggesting it is because the restaurant did not buy produce from the official’s family member and accusing the official of being “too g—d— poor” to open a restaurant. The Barnesville Buzz is not aware of any evidence to support Buddy Talley’s claims about a personal vendetta.
In the first exchange, Talley also acknowledges on video that the septic system he inherited was “a mess,” says he has been “kicked in the nuts” since buying the business, and adds that he “wishes [he] hadn’t bought this son of a b—,” while saying the owners are “trying to get it going in the right direction.”
Another co-owner, Tracy Wallace, also expresses anger and uses profanity.
At no point in the footage does Buddy Lanier curse at employees, threaten restaurant staff, or act unprofessionally, contrary to the prior accusation by The Country Kitchen.
Why the Restaurant Could Not Reopen
Both Talley and Wallace beg for time to remain open so they can generate income to pay for a new septic system. However, the officials refused, explaining that public health regulations do not allow a business to operate while waste is being discharged into the environment due to a failed septic system.
The inspectors repeatedly state that pumping the system does not solve structural failures of an inadequate and undersized system.
The conversation ends with the inspectors leaving and directing the owners to contact Health Department supervisors and county officials.
An Apology from The Country Kitchen
After reviewing the videos, Barnesville Buzz contacted The Country Kitchen co-owner Buddy Talley for comment.
Talley acknowledged that the accusations against Mr. Buddy Lanier were false.
It was out of character,” Talley said. “An employee told me that a county code enforcement officer had cursed at her, and I believed that at the time. After seeing the video, I know that’s not what happened. I apologize to the community for getting out of character. I’m human, and I try to back my people and believe them, but that doesn’t make it okay. I hope the community accepts my apology.”
When asked about the restaurant’s future, Talley said, “It’s up in the air. I don’t want to close, and I hope the community will still support it. But there’s no excuse that this should have happened.”
The videos below are being posted in the order in which they occurred, beginning with the incident that occurred on December 19, 2025. The final three videos were recorded on January 9, 2026.
Grant Turner is the editor of the Barnesville Buzz and an educator, coach, and writer based in Barnesville, Georgia. He shares stories that bridge community, faith, and personal growth. In addition to teaching and coaching, Grant is Director of Musical Worship and a Sunday School teacher at New Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon, Georgia. He lives in Barnesville with his wife, Haley.
