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Lucas C. Allison

Dispatch Correspondent

 

The Wilcox Board of Commissioners held a Special Called meeting Tuesday February 18, 2025.

Present for the meeting were Chairman Jamie Handley, Commissioners Clay Reid, Mel Powell, and Kearney Haire, and County Manager Michael Pomirko. There was only one item on the agenda that was the intersection of Owensboro Road and American Legion Road.   This intersection has been a problem regarding crashes due to persons running the stop sign on  American Legion Road. After much discussion, commissioners, after being properly moved and seconded approved  for the intersection be made a 4-way stop. There will be rumble strips installed, STOP sign ahead signs, and alerts that Owensboro Road motorists will have to stop at the intersection as well as American Legion motorists. Commissioners will alert the public when this project is completed.  Commissioners stated that hopefully by taking this action they will make the intersection safer .I spoke with Sheriff Jeff Wessel and said he was glad the decision was made as this is one of the busiest intersections and it has an odd angle. Sheriff Wessel stated he was all for anything that makes the roads in the county safer. The agenda was amended after being properly moved and seconded to add Georgia Fire Marshall’s Fireworks Grant Application. Commissioners after being properly moved and seconded to move forward with the application for the $25,000.00 grant.  The meeting was then adjourned.

Commissioners then opened a workshop meeting to conduct a Road Department review with Adam Dowdy the department head.  Commissioners reviewed the Road Dept. budget and made recommendations to keep the expenses in line with the budget. There were no major problems with the budget.  Mr. Dowdy informed commissioners that he had found possibly three trucks for the road department that he could get and stay within the $50,000.00, The trucks were located in Tennessee, arrangements will be made to go get the trucks.  Commissioner Haire agreed to go with Mr. Dowdy to get the trucks and drive one back .Mr. Dowdy and commissioners noted they had been contacted regarding roads and entrances to the churches. Mr. Dowdy was advised to see what is needed to complete those requests and give them to Mr. Pomirko. Obtaining members to get the Economic Development Authority fully staffed was discussed.  Mr. Pomirko advised that he had five of the seven board members slots filled and possibly six.  Commissioners and Mr. Pomirko will continue to contact citizens to find those willing to serve and possibly vote on them  at the March meeting.  Mr. Pomirko advised commissioners that the contract for Probation Service Judicial Alternatives of Georgia will be up for renewal for the 2025-2026 year, this was for information only.

Commissioner Kearney Haire brought up a request by one of his constituents inquiring  about the county extending Toms Road from the point where the sign saying Private Drive to extend the road approximately ¾ mile to just past the home of Ryan Jones.  It was noted the county cannot perform any work on private property.  The landowners would all have to agree and deed land to the county, this also would allow anyone to drive to the end of road unrestricted. This would open a can of worms because the road was ended at the private drive to prevent unwanted traffic on the property.    Mr. Jones was asking for the extension of the school bus to have a better road to travel to pick up his children. Commissioners then adjourned. The Wilcox Commissioners meet the 1^st  Tuesday of month 6:30PM in their office in the courthouse in Abbeville.