Residents press commissioners on proposed bypass/perimeter road; some call for ballot question

Public comments at the Jan. 6 Pierce County commission meeting focused on opposition to a proposed bypass/perimeter road and requests for clearer public information.

Chairman Neal Bennett read the previously approved November resolution and said he was neither advocating for nor against the bypass; he cautioned that the new county manager (two days on the job) could not answer questions about timeline, risk or budget. Chairman Bennett cited Planning Department projections that the county population could double over 25 years and said better routes are needed to serve future growth.

Blake Edwards told commissioners he opposes the bypass, asked, "Did you ever see an alternate map?" and said the proposal was being "shoved down the throats of the Pierce County citizens." Edwards asked what would happen if a bypass vote failed; Chairman Bennett replied that if voters reject it, "it is over with." Commissioner David Lowman said the county had not received additional information from Ware County and that officials "don't know" the details yet.

Jeremy Boyett also voiced opposition and suggested building underpasses as an alternative. John Wilson spoke in opposition as well. Two other named individuals on the agenda (Marie Stonebreaker and Aaron Jacobs) were listed but not present for comment.

The board did not adopt a new action or schedule a vote on the bypass at the Jan. 6 meeting; Chairman Bennett noted that any ballot question would need coordination with local party organizations to appear in May’s primary ballot.