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Citizens raise concerns about fire staffing, unexecuted $4M HUD grant and parks during Newton County meeting
Summary
During public comment, residents and county staff flagged a staffing crisis at the fire department, an unexecuted $4 million HUD grant for a Westside facility, park closures and local drainage complaints; commissioners and staff responded with requests for follow-up and clarification.
At the June 17 Newton County Board of Commissioners meeting, public commentators raised a range of operational and programmatic concerns, including staffing shortfalls at the fire department, an apparent lack of an executed federal grant agreement for a Westside facility, local park closures and a long-running drainage complaint.
James Franklin, a 22-year Newton County firefighter and the county's fire safety educator, told the board the fire department is "in crisis," saying the department is losing personnel, that some fire trucks cannot be fully staffed and that others are operating with only two crew members. "Two people is not safe for Newton County citizens," Franklin said, and he asked the board to take action.
During public comment, Tresia Hodge and Elena Sanders addressed a $4,000,000 Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) award for a Westside facility. Hodge said she holds a HUD award letter dated March 2, 2023 (grant number B23CPGA00464) naming Newton County as grantee for a $4 million Project Westside award but said the county has not executed a grant agreement because required documents (line-item budget, project narrative, environmental review) were not submitted. Hodge said the absence of an executed contract means no funds are yet available for reimbursements and warned the county could lose the award if requested materials are not provided. Elena Sanders said she had worked with Congressman Johnson's office to ensure the award was referred to Newton County and said staff should complete the outstanding documents.
Other public comments included a complaint from Sheryl Williams about an eroded, poorly functioning roadside ditch and deteriorated driveway pipe on Upper River Road; Thelma Starnali urged attention to Nelson Heights Park, which she said was closed three years ago and remains unavailable to local children; and resident Dave Norton asked for an update on water planning linked to development and data-center proposals.
Commissioners and staff responded to some concerns: staff offered to speak with Williams after the meeting and to follow up on repairs; commissioners said they will seek further information on the Westside grant and invited the speaker to provide documentation after the meeting. Board members also acknowledged the fire department remarks as a serious concern and discussed the need to review staffing and resources.
The public-comment period capped a meeting that also included multiple board approvals on budget, contracts and capital projects.
