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Residents press council on Kangaroo Lane ownership, procurement and neighborhood shootings
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Summary
During public comment residents raised concerns about ownership and signage for Kangaroo Lane, alleged improper procurement for equipment purchases, and repeated shootings in residential areas; council and staff described tax-record ownership and said staff would follow up on procurement and livestreaming questions.
Several residents used the public-comment period at the May 14 Sumter County Council meeting to press the council on local issues ranging from road ownership to procurement practices and neighborhood public safety.
Wayne Geddings, who said he has lived on Kangaroo Lane since childhood, urged council to investigate conflicting statements about the lane’s ownership and asked, “Is Sumter County based on a lie or the truth?” Lisa Geddings said a green road sign that identified Kangaroo Lane remained for roughly 25 years before removal and repeated a claim that Eric Kolb told residents council members had privately discussed how the road should be listed. County Attorney Johnathan Bryan told council that tax records indicate the Kolb family owns the land and that property owners along the lane retain a 50-foot recorded right-of-way to travel to their homes.
Resident Myra Washington asked whether the county’s procurement rules were followed in a referenced equipment purchase and whether the cited machinery was a bulldozer or a compactor; she cited county code requiring three quotes for purchases below $25,000 and asked for answers about the process. County staff said they would follow up on procurement questions.
Dr. Alexandra Baten said shootings in residential areas are a growing problem and asked council to consider an ordinance banning shooting in residential neighborhoods. Lorenzo Rivers thanked Animal Control for removing dangerous dogs from his street.
Why it matters: public-commenters raised questions about county record-keeping, procurement transparency and neighborhood public safety that council members and staff pledged to investigate or follow up on. Those follow-ups may require staff reports or committee review.
What’s next: County Attorney and county staff will review property-record and procurement questions and report back to council. Requests for ordinances or policy change (for example a residential shooting ban) were asked by residents; council did not take immediate action during the May 14 session.
Direct quotes are taken from the council minutes and assigned to the speakers who appear in the meeting record.