Residents press board on roadside litter; commissioners tout SPLOST projects and community events

Several residents and commissioners used the public-comment and commissioner-comment periods on April 21 to highlight litter concerns, praise recent SPLOST projects, and announce community events.

Barbara Morgan (East Street, Covington) commended county staff and the SPLOST oversight committee for recent projects, including the senior enrichment center, renovated Cousins School, Turner Library, Turner Lake Park and Spring Hill Community Park. Morgan praised project management and said visitor spending helps offset project costs.

Dexter Mason, a resident from District 4, urged the county to address roadside trash and suggested the board coordinate cleanup efforts and public outreach. Commissioner Edwards acknowledged the concern, noted county crews work daily to remove litter, and urged residents to speak out on social media and support community cleanup efforts.

Commissioner Mason invited residents to a movie-in-the-park event at Denny Dobbs Park on May 1 and described the county's Stepping Up initiative (in partnership with the National Association of Counties and mental-health professional Dr. Lacletia Izzard) to improve mental-health responses in jails, including intercept-mapping training and partnerships with local resource providers. Commissioner Cooper announced a Keep Newton Beautiful cleanup day (Fairview Road) and an upcoming west-side job fair. Commissioner Henderson also raised the need to erect a proper barrier and burial for unclaimed decedents on a SPLOST-purchased property and urged more frequent pickups.

Commissioner Long described personal cleanup efforts, suggested reviving public-awareness campaigns and exploring trash cameras, and encouraged coordination with code enforcement. The meeting adjourned following these announcements.