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Neighbors oppose proposed closure of Edmonson/Edmonton Road, court opens formal discontinuance process
Summary
Multiple landowners told the Spencer County Fiscal Court the road is the only access to long‑held family properties and urged the court not to discontinue it; proponents of closure cited vandalism and dumping. Court described statutory discontinuance steps and said two disinterested parties will inspect and report before any final decision.
Several residents described a long family history of using Edmonson/Edmonton Road and urged the court to keep the route open.
"The road is the only way that we have to get into this property," Sue Evans told the court, citing family ownership since 1953 and repeated flooding that has already made access difficult. Deb Edmonson reiterated the point, saying her family has farmed and maintained the road for generations and that alternative access would be cost‑prohibitive.
Opposing speakers, including Grant Barnett, urged discontinuance. Barnett presented photos of dumping, vandalism and abandoned vehicles and said that if the county discontinued the road it would convert to a private easement under Kentucky law, preserving access for rightful owners while reducing public maintenance and open access that he says encourages misuse.
The court explained the formal statutory process: it will post notices in three public places, select two disinterested reviewers and the road department will inspect the site. The reviewers will report back publicly; the court then will decide whether to discontinue the road. Court members also noted statutory limits on discontinuance (for example, recent maintenance or active objections can prevent closing).
What happens next: reviewers and road department staff will inspect Edmonson Road and present findings at a future public meeting; the court indicated it has begun the posting and reviewer identification required by statute.
