Citizen Anita L. Armstrong wants help with Gaines Lane, but it’s a private road, and it would have to be paved to state highway standards to get accepted into the county’s road system. She spoke at the Lowndes County Commission Regular Session 10 September 2013.

I come before you again asking to see if we can get some help with our road. It is so bad and we don’t have the money. If we could get just a little help, maybe we could get it kind of straightened out so we could get in and out. The last bad weather that we had, we had to be pulled out of the road for at least five times. And each time that we pulled out, we have to pay someone to do it…. And we are asking your help.

Her problem is that Gaines Lane is a private road, not county maintained. To get it into the county road system, right of way would have to be donated to the county, because some years ago the county made a policy (try to find it in writing) that it would no longer pay for rights of way. Some of the landowners on Gaines Road have not agreed to donate. And even if they do, the county also has a policy (try to find that one in writing, while you’re at it) that it only accepts roads that are up to county standards, which means already paved to state highway standards. So basically unless you’re a developer, you’re not going to get a road into the county road system.

Ms. Armstrong spoke in the previous session, 13 August 2013, about garbage trucks damaging her road.

A Bess Armstrong 11 May 2010 according to the minutes:

Bess Armstrong, Gaines Lane, thanked the Commission for their help in assisting with road improvements made on Gaines Lane. Mr. Armstrong added that he needed some guidance on how to maintain the road in the future. Chairman Paulk stated that the credit should be given to Reames Construction, since the county was unable to work on the private road.

There was extensive discussion in the 23 February 2010 meeting, according to the minutes:

Joseph Best, Gaines Lane, stated that Gaines Lane is unable to be travelled by emergency services. Commissioner Evans stated she had spoken to County Engineer, Mike Fletcher, regarding this issue. Mr. Fletcher stated the lots were subdivided off of private platted easements which the county has no rights to maintain. The county will only accept roads that meet county standards.

Vice Chairman Lee asked what the distance of this road was and Mr. Fletcher stated ½ mile is the distance with six or eight lots subdivided.

Mr. Best stated a neighbor has placed a board with nails in the road and covered the board with dirt.

Vice Chairman Lee asked where Gaines Lane is located, Mr. Fletcher responded off of Dasher Johnson Road.

Chairman Paulk stated this location is private property and no work can be done until it meets county standards. Chairman Paulk stated he would speak to the Reames Construction Company and personally help with Gaines Lane.

Bob Harlan, 7083 Hamm Estates Drive, wanted to ask a question regarding who made the law referring to private roads; Chairman Paulk stated Lowndes County can’t benefit a private citizen, the county will only accept roads that meet county standards. Mr. Harlan stated that two individuals didn’t sign since 1991 the property owners have been trying to give the easements to the county to be maintained.

Willie Houseal, 764 Lake Laurie, owns property on 7131 Hamm Estates Drive and would like Hamm Estates Drive to be added to the paving list and maintained by the county.

Carol Gillard, 3760 Tower Road, stated in 2006 residents signed a petition for the road to be paved. Ms. Gillard would like to know the process/procedures regarding right of way. County Engineer, Mike Fletcher, stated Tower Road is three miles long and money has to be allocated for surveying. It costs approximately $70,000.00 a mile to have surveyed. Mr. Fletcher stated there are 30 roads on the paving list with 60 to 70 miles to be paved. Also, there is a supplemental paving list as well. Chairman Paulk stated that getting the petition signed by land owners to donate right of way was the next step. Vice Chairman Lee added there was no money right now to have any road paved at this time.

Rhonda Wright, 2471 Gaines Lane, stated she had a fire at her home last week and fire trucks could barely get to her house. Ms. Wright asked what could be done to improve the road. Chairman Paulk stated the road needs to meet county standards.

Commissioner Evans recognized Ms. Armstrong (in the audience) regarding the plowed easement and stated that county staff would be in contact with her.

Here’s the video:

Gaines Lane into county road system? Little chance for ordinary citizens
Regular Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 10 September 2013.

-jsq

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