One way to get things done locally
Following is a letter sent to our county commissioners and executive a couple of years ago after several frustrating years trying to get ou road maintained, going so far as to hire someone to drive a plow from over 15 miles away to clear a road so that we could get out to get to a doctor’s appointment. It finally worked. The road was decommissioned, a “rivate road” sign was installed, and we share maintenance with our neighbor. Since he leases land to a gas pipeline company that uses it to access their pumping station, they have so far supplied the necessary rock for the road.
Gentlemen,
I live with my husband on Phelps Spur Lane, in the only occupied house on this county road that has not been maintained in any way in over a decade. Only one other couple owns property facing this road and its full 1/4 mile ends at our drive and their gate. We were informed many years ago that the road had been decommissioned only to discover, after paying to have snow removed and filling potholes, that it had not been and is open to the public. In our neck of the woods the “public” has been drunk drivers (one who started an altercation with my husband), river squatters, and benign sightseers looking for a place to cross the river once they have gotten lost. We know not to expect a quick response from law enforcement should trouble ensue again. We have a stop sign and had a road sign, but my request to Mr. Tudor to replace the road sign so that delivery people could find us went unanswered. That is really not a big issue, but after being neglected for so long the road surface is very degraded. If this is a county road we expect the county to maintain it, at least minimally, by filling the potholes.
Alternatively, we would not be adverse to this road being really decommissioned. If the other property owner is amenable, and I expect they would be, we would gladly trade a new road sign for one indicating that our lane is private and there is no outlet. When my husband suggested this to Mr. Tudor before the road maintenance plan was revised he was advised that our lane should remain with the county to make future development easier. High intensity development here in the future is highly unlikely.
I know it wouldn’t save the county loads of money over minimal maintenance, but every little bit helps. Also, the days of our quietly accepting neglect are over. A picture of a 68 year old retired Marine filling potholes on a county road with gravel from the bed of his ‘95 pickup while his disabled old wife looks on from her scooter would not be a good look for the fiscal court at this time.
We have dutifully paid taxes on our property for 26 years. Since we built our house in 1997 our insurance rate has been high because we have no fire hydrant for miles. Such are the costs we assume to live where we do. Although we are a house divided on the issue, I have even been vocally supportive of tax rate increases. I don’t think it is too much to ask for the county to either relinquish the road or maintain it.
I am looking forward to your reply before the old Marine starts trying to make repairs.
Sincerely,
Penny Noland Gaffney
621 Phelps Road
Richmond