The Grundy County Commission heard both sides of a debate involving the proposed closure of a portion of S.E. Sage Lane during its regular weekly meeting held today.
A petition had been filed in July seeking to discuss the closure of the road from where S.E. Sage Lane intersects with S.E. 10th Avenue and transitions from gravel to dirt. The road ends at the Thompson River. A remonstrance was filed last week seeking to keep the roadway open. During this morning’s session, Johnathan Meyer, an attorney from Bethany, appeared with Bill Lenhart, Jr., who is seeking to keep the road open. Meyer told the commission that there are only two reasons to close a road: non-use and because it is contrary to the public interest to keep it open. Two county residents, Glenn Thorne and Gary Dolan, told commissioners that they use the road and would like to see it remain open for access to the river, particularly for fishing. Dolan commented that once it is closed, it will remain closed and unless there is a legitimate reason to close it, the commission should leave it open.
Larry Wilson and Bill Hayen, who want to see the road closed, said a group that uses the road for access to their duck hunting lake have had to clean up after activities at the river and have had to use their own funds to maintain the roadway. They said they would provide keys to a gate that would be placed at the site of the proposed closure for those who have legitimate reasons for being in the area. They also indicated they are concerned about liability issues if someone is hurt in the area. It was noted during the meeting that the road is a CART rock road, meaning Jackson Township receives funding for rock for that road and it should be maintained by the township.
Commissioners took no action this morning and told those in attendance that they would talk with township officials, look at the roadway and discuss it more this afternoon before taking any action.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
