Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Since January, Hamilton County realtor Jorrie Mathis has wanted to get a stretch of public road closed to the public and has petitioned the county to act on this. The road lies on private property that belongs to Mathis and his extended family. On Tuesday, April 15, he got his wish when the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners met for their regular meeting at the county courthouse. The discussion on Mathis's request came as a public hearing. "I am making one last plea to close the road that runs through my property," Mathis said. "I wrote a letter to the county commissioners as to why it's important to shut the road off through my property. It's in your guys’ hands. Vote yay or nay." Mathis presented to the board a petition that his neighbors signed in favor of the road closure, which would close a portion of 41st Lane and 55th Place. One of the reasons for this is to keep people from trespassing on the property, as well as to keep vehicles from speeding on the road. During public comments, relatives of Mathis stood up and voiced their support for the road closure. Some even noted it was important for the property to be private and remain within the family for generations. Menieca Kennedy, Mathis's sister, stood up first in support. "One of the main reasons he wants to close this is so that it will all be continuous property if he ever had to go to a nursing home," Kennedy said. "This piece of property is very precious to our family. My dad was born and raised on this piece of property. It was essential to pass this piece of property down in the Mathis name to my brother, and he, therefore, will pass it down to one of his sons." She further stated that she would hate to see some of the property be lost should something happen to Mathis. Valerie Jones-Goolsby, Mathis's cousin, spoke next. She voiced her support for the closure, sharing that the property has been in the family for over seven generations. "There is some fast traffic on that dirt road," Jones-Goolsby said. "You have to watch your children and your pets." She further stated that she hoped the commissioners would consider that, especially since Mathis has young grandchildren on the property, and hopes that her cousin got his wish. One neighbor, Henry Brembry, voiced opposition to the proposal, stating that it would not benefit other neighbors and would add to costs associated with familial commutes, including his wife's commute to and from work. Bembry said that it would cost them an additional $500, as it would add two miles to her route. "I don't know how the board can approve something that won't benefit all parties involved," he said. "I know there are always two sides to a story, and some people don't like change. When it doesn't benefit everybody involved, I don't see how the board can vote in favor of it.” Following public comments, the focus shifted to the commissioners, with District 4 Commissioner Robbie Roberson opening comments, saying that it has put him "between a rock and a hard place." Roberson, who is the commissioner for Mathis's district, said that he knows the families in the area well. "I thought about it and called the families there," Roberson said. "I put myself in everyone's shoes, and it's a hard decision…but I believe it would be the best decision [to close the road]." District 5 Commissioner and Board Chairman Richie McCoy stated that he did not take the decision easily, echoing Roberson's sentiments. "I have people sitting out there that's like family to me," McCoy said. "I want you to know that whatever decision is made, it wasn't made lightly." He also said that in the five years he has been on the board, this was one of the hardest decisions he has made. Following McCoy's comments, Roberson made a motion to approve the road closure. Following hesitation from the board members, District 3 Commissioner James Howell offered to second the motion and shared his reasons for his decision. When it came time to vote, Roberson and Howell voted in favor of the road closure, while District 1 Commissioner Jimmy Murphy and District 2 Commissioner Travis Erixton voted against it. McCoy served as the tiebreaker, voting in favor of the road closure and granting Mathis his wish. Following the vote, Bembry turned around and shook the family's hand, congratulating them on their months-long victory as they left the commission meeting. Later in the meeting, Katelyn Barrington with Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative came forward to request a resolution to recognize National Lineman Appreciation Day. She shared the importance of continuing to appreciate the work linemen do to help families and businesses, especially during storm season. She also shared statistics on linemen's injuries and deaths, as well as the work they do during the hurricane season, stating that linemen work an average of 16 hours a day during emergency events. The next Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 6, at 9 a.m. at the Hamilton County Courthouse, located at 207 NE 1st St., Jasper.