Citizen volunteers to lobby for better roads
What started as a complaint about road conditions ended with a pledge to help the Marion County Board of Supervisors lobby state officials for more money for roads and bridges.
Dolores Porter addressed the Marion County Board of Supervisors last week and spoke about road conditions in northern Marion County.
“I have concerns that the roads aren’t passable,” she said. “The gravel has taken over the edge of the roads and people are traveling in the middle. There are holes that cause damage to vehicles and concerns to the dangers of children on buses. I’m concerned for the safety of the community — the roads are washing away.”
District 1 Supervisor Randy Dyess, whose area contains the roads described, including portions of Gates Road, said he was sympathetic.
“We just don’t have the money,” he said. “Gates Road is a State Aid road, and I’m sure they’ll work on it the next time the state does repairs, but we just don’t have the road funds. We haven’t seen an increase in road money since 2004 and costs have continued to skyrocket. It now costs more than $110,000 per mile to mill and resurface a road. We’re struggling with funding for roads and bridges.”
Dyess said board members have considered letting some roads go back to dirt roads because of the cost of paving and lack of funding.
“We’re patching every day,” he said. “If it’s not raining, we’re patching. It’s hard to keep up.”
“I don’t mind going to Jackson,” Porter told the Board. “If the state is responsible, I’ll try to help. If you need state and federal funds, then I know where I stand. We are taxpayers. There is no reason for us to be a forgotten community and nobody pushing the issue. There is money out there. There are grants out there. I’m letting you know it’s going farther than this. I go to Jackson all the time at the state offices. I don’t have a problem going and talking to our legislators. I’m concerned that we’re forgotten. You pay taxes – it’s your children and grandchildren.”
Dyess said supervisors had been meeting with state and federal officials, but to no avail.
“I assure you that if we could do better, we would,” he said. “The problem is in order for us to pave all of those roads, you could not pay the taxes needed to do it. Our road funds have not had an increase since ’04, and the only way we could get more would be to increase taxes. You can only raise taxes so much.”
Porter agreed.
“I work with seniors and there is a limit as to what people can do,” she said. “I know people are limited. Everybody wants to make it better for the next generation. I’ll do with I can.”
District 2 Supervisor Terry Broome said he was grateful for Porter’s candor and willingness to speak with state and federal officials.
“We thank you for your support,” he said. “Maybe those officials will listen to the citizens of the state.”
Porter vowed to do what she could to help Marion County.
“I’m going to speak for everybody,” she said. “It’s time to stand up.”
