Metcalfe residents voice concern over closing of Winterpast Way

Published 12:35 pm Saturday, March 18, 2023

THOMASVILLE- The Thomas County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, March 14, for their regular meeting, where they heard from two concerned citizens about the resolution to close Winterpast Way in Metcalfe. 

Kristen McGregor, who resides on Norias Road, which connects to Winterpast Way, was the first to address the Commissioners. 

“Last Friday night my neighbor called me and I was genuinely surprised when she said that you all had voted to close Winterpast Way,” she said. “I had heard nothing about it.” 

McGregor went on to say that she researched to see if any public hearings were held in regard to the closing and found that the Commissioners did hold a public hearing in January, but no one showed up. 

“Last time there was a hearing about closing Winterpast Way was in 2013, and if you’ll remember we had dozens of people from Metcalfe and a petition signed by nearly 100 people to oppose the closing of this nearly 200-year-old, historic road,” McGregor said. 

McGregor did admit her and her husband don’t often use the road, as it is a dirt road and can sometimes become muddy and difficult to drive on, but as they have gotten older, they have become concerned about losing the road as an emergency egress. 

“We are worried about being trapped,” she said. “That happened just 7 years ago, after you voted to keep Winterpast open; there was a large tree over the road and we couldn’t use it for a day. Without Winterpast, we wouldn’t have been able to get emergency services.” 

McGregor pointed out a more recent incident that happened just months ago, when a fatality occurred at the mill. 

“People were routed down Norias Road and had to take Winterpast to get back to Tallahassee or Thomasville,” she explained. “It was the only way around. I implore you to reconsider your decision, because it puts the residents at risk.” 

The Commissioners thanked her for her comments before hearing from McGregor’s neighbor, Kay Cromartie. 

“I just think it’s wrong that one man’s greed can supersede the need of families who use that road,” Cromartie said.

District 2 Commissioner Moses Gross, who represents Metcalfe, asked the County Manager, Mike Stephenson if notice was given to neighbors like Cromartie and McGregor prior to the public hearing. 

Stephenson said it was the paper, but no signage was put out near the road, because it was not a rezoning. 

Vice Chair Donnie Baggett asked Stephenson if it was normal procedure to notify neighboring residents.

Stephenson explained he follows the rules provided by the County Attorney, who was not present at the meeting. 

Cromartie spoke up and explained that while she doesn’t live on Winterpast Way, her sister does. 

According to Cromartie, the petitioner, Mr. Phipps, offered to pave a small portion of the road for her sister, if he could close the road. Her sister, believing it could raise her property value, agreed. 

“They (my sister and her son) are now going to be closed in without a way out, and they’re both older with health issues,” Cromartie said. “I just don’t think they’ll benefit from it.” 

Chairman Zippy Vonier explained their attorney was not in attendance, but they would be checking in with him to make sure everything was done properly, after hearing the complaints. 

However, McGregor told the Commissioners that she had been told the County Attorney is also Mr. Phipps’ attorney. 

“Is that a conflict of interest here?” she said. “If he is, that makes us feel even worse and frankly I’m worried,” McGregor said. 

Vonier assured both women the Commissioners would be checking into the concerns raised.