By Vince Lennon
LaFayette, GA – Proponents of preserving public access to what’s believed to be one of the first of Walker County’s nascent thoroughfares made their intentions clear to Walker County Board of Commissioners; suggesting a member’s vote to close Concord Road near Villanow will ultimately lead to their political dead end come Election Day.
While the topic hasn’t been on the commission’s agenda for months, those against the proposed closure of the pioneer era road continue to remind the panel of their growing opposition, as they did repeatedly during Thursday night’s regularly scheduled meeting of the board.
Between the Concord Road salvos, commissioners were able to approve a resolution for adopting a general budget of $37.5 million for 2026, relaxing the purse strings on county purchase limits of up to $15,000, amending the county’s enabling law to extend the term of financial auditors, as well as authorizing the purchase of a new ladder fire truck via financing through the Bank of LaFayette.
Coincidentally, Chairwoman Angie Teems also introduced Justin Luce, the newly appointed Fleet Director, hired after the firing of Ricky Carr and shop mechanic John Pendergrass, who blamed faulty brakes during his June 30th test drive resulting in a crash and fire of the previous vehicle, which was later determined relatively underinsured.
In replacing the $640,000 mobile firefighting apparatus, Walker County will finance its $1.4 million successor over a five year term with a modest 2.75% rate. Recently hired Walker County Finance Director Christian Roach suggested the county will recoup some money in the purchase, considering the monthly payment to interest rates earned on the county’s savings account.
At the onset of Thursday’s public comment segment, East Armuchee resident Jim Pope attempted to tie TSPLOST voter intentions to the proposed closure of Concord Road. Pope chastised Commissioner Brian Hart for his planned abstention to vote on the matter. Hart cites having relatives on both sides of the debate, who Hart claims are Pope’s cousins as well. Nevertheless, Pope was undeterred in his criticism, “If the commissioners are not going to stand up consistently for better roads in the community, the next time SPLOST comes up, how is the public going to have confidence and want to vote for it?” asked Pope rhetorically.
Wilma Ramy, who says she is a 7th generation of the Concord Church, is staunchly against the closing of the road, citing public safety access and convenience. She closed her appeal with a stark warning for commissioners: “Walker County voters have long memories and we will certainly remember if you vote to close a county road that has been traveled for almost 200 years.”
Commissioners say they’re awaiting a report from the county’s historical society in the next 30 days regarding Concord Road’s local significance before putting the topic on an upcoming agenda for possible vote.
The next scheduled meeting for the Walker County Board of Commissioners is set for 6pm, September 4th in LaFayette.