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Residents raise roadside cleanup and local contractor-bid concerns during Whitfield County public comment
Summary
Residents urged county crews to remove debris and reflectors left after road work on Doug Gap Mountain Road and several trucking contractors asked for feedback after bid awards they did not receive.
Several residents used the Feb. 10 public-comment period at the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners meeting to raise non-agenda issues about roadside debris and to question contracting outcomes.
Charlene Caldwell of Rocky Face said crews who scrape ice and do paving work along Doug Gap Mountain Road left reflectors and litter along the roadside and asked the county to ensure crews pick up debris. Commissioners responded that ice and snow operations can dislodge reflectors but agreed to ensure cleanup.
Walt Caldwell asked whether the county had decided to opt out of HR 5801; commissioners said no action had been taken and that remaining in the program is automatic unless the county publishes required notices and holds required meetings. (The transcript records the county's explanation that no publication had been done and the county planned to stay in.)
Local contractors spoke about bid awards. Ricky Wheat, owner of Wheat's Trucking, asked why his company was listed as second in the county's hauling award after decades of contracting for the county, and requested feedback from county staff; commissioners directed him to speak with procurement staff (named in the meeting as staff contacts). Rita Jackson, representing Jackson Truck, described concerns about not receiving bids she expected; commissioners again encouraged direct follow-up with procurement staff.
No formal actions were taken during public comment; commissioners acknowledged the concerns and directed residents to the appropriate staff for follow-up.
