WALTHALL — The Board of Supervisors heard complaints about some Webster County roads during its regular monthly meeting on July 5.
James Townsend first asked about the status of resurfacing a section of Old Walthall Road, which is in districts 1 and 2. Board President Pat Cummings (District 2) told him a new tar machine broke down when county workers started repaving the road, halting the project. They did spray water on that section of road to keep the dust down until it could be repaved.
District 1 Supervisor Eudy Morris said Monday that the mechanic was unable to find the problem but that a county road hand later did so and repaired the machine. Morris said that section of Old Walthall Road has since been repaved.
Townsend previously appeared before the board on June 6 asking about Old Walthall and Antioch roads. At the most recent meeting, he was accompanied by six others who voiced concerns about the condition of Antioch Road, which is in District 5.
Brenda Lockett presented “A Petition for Better Roads” signed by over 200 people. According to the cover sheet, all signatures are from members of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church located at 574 Antioch Road, Maben, visiting guests who attend the church, and relatives and friends who visit or have a concern for the roads in the community. The petition states the undersigned demand better roads on behalf of their church and on behalf of their community.
“There has been concerns for many years concerning the condition of our roads, which includes not being able to enter our church and homes for dust, and difficult driving due to mud and high waters when it rains,” the document reads. “There is also a great discrepancy with the roads with certain residents having paved roads as compared to others who have gravel. … We look forward to communicating and working with you on the improvements of our roads.“
The church is located on a gravel section of Antioch Road and those present said they want to see the entire road paved.
“We just wanted better roads,” Lockett said. One man said, “I was told 24 years ago our road was going to get paid.”
District 5 Supervisor Doug Burgess agreed that section of road should be paved, but said, “Our hands are tied with the amount of money we have to work with.” Cummings mentioned the low value of a road mill in the county and the high cost of asphalt.
“We’re doing our best to keep the roads up,” said Burgess. He also said, “We work the worst parts … we made the cycle.”
When the supervisors were asked how they determine which roads or parts of get paved, Burgess and others explained that the assessed value of the entire county is divided five ways by road mileage to determine the amount of road funds available to each district. Burgess said 77 of the 128 road miles in District 5 are gravel.
Sheriff David Gore also addressed the group, stating that the Sheriff’s Department sought out grants for needs the county could not meet, but noted they come with stipulations.
“I can assure you … if they (supervisors) had the money, they’d pave every road in the county,” he said. “They’re limited on our tax base.”
When asked what needed to be done to get a grant to pave the entire road, Burgess said he would check with the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District about this because of the church being located there.
“We’re here to work with you all,” Townsend told the board.
Townsend also inquired about other roads where he claimed the ditches weren’t being cleaned out, including Berry Road.
“We ditch it every spring,” Burgess replied. Referring to Antioch, Elmore and Berry roads, he said, “There’s more money (being) spent there than in my life.”
