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Sunset Neighborhood residents ask Jones County for streetlights, cite safety concerns for seniors
Summary
A group of about 20 Sunset Neighborhood families urged the Jones County commissioners to restore three streetlights disconnected when residents could not pay Georgia Power; commissioners said they would research options but noted county policy historically does not fund rural street lighting.
A delegation from the Sunset Neighborhood Club asked the Jones County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 7 to restore three streetlights in their subdivision after the lights were disconnected last year because residents could not afford the bills.
Myrna Bell, speaking for about 20 families she said live on McCreary and Aletha drives, told the board the neighbors are largely senior citizens and that the dark streets make residents feel unsafe. “For the past 30 years, we have been able to have streetlights on our street, and each family paid for that,” Bell said. “When the street lights were disconnected, it turned very, very dark in our neighborhood, and we feel unsafe.” She asked for a light at the beginning of McCreary Drive, one at Liza and Bethune, and one in the middle of the street.
Resident Carolyn Johnson told commissioners emergency vehicles cannot easily find house numbers in the dark. Commissioners thanked the group for coming and said they would look into options, including checking for grant or partnership opportunities and contacting Georgia Power. A commissioner cautioned that county-funded street lighting is not typical and that extending lighting countywide could create demand from many neighborhoods.
Why it matters: Sunset Neighborhood residents said most households in the area are on fixed senior incomes. They said restoring three lights would cost roughly $100 a month (about $1,200 per year) to keep them on through Georgia Power, and they asked the board to consider that expense relative to public safety for elderly residents.
What commissioners said and next steps County officials did not commit to direct funding at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to research potential funding pathways (utility partnerships, grants, homeowner association contributions) and to return with options. One commissioner noted the county historically has not paid to light rural streets, and that adopting a new program could set precedent and generate additional requests from other neighborhoods.
Ending: Commissioners asked the Sunset Neighborhood Club to provide contact information and to stay in touch while staff explores options; staff said they would follow up and report findings at a future meeting.
