Planning Commission Sends Roads Recommendation to County Commission over Public Opposition

November 9, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The question of whether the county will transfer ownership of a portion of Parkway Drive, Allen Street, Shady Drive and 2nd Street to the City of Smithville will be answered later this month by the DeKalb County Commission.

During the regular monthly meeting Monday night, members of the DeKalb County Regional Planning Commission, over the objections of some residents in the neighborhood, voted to recommend that the proposal move on to the full county commission for a final decision. Member Bruce Malone tried to stop it making a motion that the request be rejected and although fellow member Jenny Trapp offered a second to Malone’s motion it failed on a 5 to 2 vote.

The county commission will take up the matter when it meets in regular monthly session on Monday, November 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the auditorium of the Mike Foster Multi-Purpose Center.

Prior to the vote, Ricky Holloway, Charles Wonder, Henrietta Caldwell, Sonny Stults, Brandy Liggett, and Kenny Stults who reside in the neighborhood spoke out against and Holloway presented a petition signed by 104 people opposed to the county transferring ownership of those roads to the city because the streets surround property owned by Larry Hasty, who has petitioned the City of Smithville to annex the site for development of a residential subdivision. The residents say more houses there would create greater traffic congestion and safety concerns with speeding and add to already deteriorating road conditions and existing wetland issues in that area. There is also a concern with low flying aircraft from the airport.

DeKalb County Planner Tommy Lee explained to the residents that it would be up to the city, not the county, to determine whether Hasty’s property should be annexed. He said the sole purpose of the county’s involvement on this matter is simply to determine whether to turn ownership of these roads over to the city to maintain rather than the county. Road Supervisor Danny Hale, who was at the meeting, said he does not oppose transferring those roads because the city has resources to keep them better maintained.

“I know we are not talking specifically about this (Hasty) development (here) but we are here because of that development and want to be heard because (we understand) the city has no plans to go ahead with the development if the county doesn’t cede these roadways,” said concerned citizen Charles Wonder of Big Hurricane Road.

The city has not yet taken action on Hasty’s annexation request but will consider it, regardless of the county commission’s decision on the roads, after a public hearing December 6 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall prior to the regular monthly meeting of the mayor and aldermen at 6 p.m.

Hasty explained to the planning commission Monday night that plans for developing his property have been in the works for several years.

“I brought this project before this board (Planning Commission) in 2015. We got preliminary approval for a plat to do something like 52 lots (now revised to around 40) on this land but that was impossible to do without sewer so I spent six years working with the city at different times trying to get this project worked out on sewer. The conclusion we have come to is if I am going to be on sewer the project has to be in the city. That is the reason for annexation and that discussion led to if the property is to be annexed then the city needs to maintain the roads (around the development),” said Hasty.

November 8, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A brief Veterans Day observance will be held Thursday, November 11 at 9 a.m. at the memorial monument on the south side of the courthouse.

The program will begin with an opening prayer by Jerry Hinton of the American Legion POST 122 followed by patriotic music led by Faye Fuqua and remarks by Susan Hinton of Smithville, the 2021 DeKalb County Fair Senior Fair Queen. Adjutant Ronnie Redmon will lay a wreath at the Veterans Memorial Monument at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Everyone is invited to attend. Seating will not be provided. Please bring folding chairs if you need them.

Meanwhile all veterans and their families are invited to stop by the 1st floor of the courthouse on Thursday, November 11 (Veterans Day) from 9 a.m. until noon for coffee and donuts. Stop by and visit the newly up-dated Veteran Services Office. Veteran Service Officer Bill Rutherford will be present to answer questions. Come fellowship with other veterans and celebrate your day.

November 8, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A man wanted in Wisconsin has been picked up in DeKalb County.

21 year old Brandon Joe Evans-Ortiz of Temperance Hall Road, Liberty is charged with being a fugitive from justice. His bond is $100,000.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on November 4 a deputy arrested Ortiz for being a fugitive from justice due to him having outstanding warrants against him in Wisconsin.

31 year old Michael Joseph Lee of Estes Street, Smithville is charged with two counts of failure to appear and evading arrest. His bond is $10,000 on the evading charge but he is being held without bond for the failure to appear offenses. Lee will make court appearances on the charges December 2 & 7.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 2 as a deputy was attempting to serve him with two capias bench warrants, Lee escaped through a rear window of the residence and failed to heed to the officer’s verbal commands to stop. After a short foot pursuit Lee surrendered and was taken into custody.

62 year old Charles Eugene Adcock of Obie Adcock Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $3,500 and he will make a court appearance December 2.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 3 a deputy spoke with a woman who said that on the night before, November 2 she and her husband, Adcock got in an argument at their home and that he struck her in the face several times with a television remote resulting in visible marks on her face and hands.

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