Work on Braswell Road, where Commissioner Harold Elmore lives, was among the projects halted by a Wednesday vote to temporarily suspend all road construction projects in the county.

Elmore said he was blindsided by the vote.

The project is one of an unknown number of ongoing paving projects in the county, and if the road is completed, it would be the third project of its kind for commissioners.

Elmore said paving projects are already completed on Sasser Road, where former chairman Lynn Sasser lives, and on Old Salt Road, where former commissioner Bragg Carter lives.

Records show that in September, the previous county commission administration – which included Elmore – voted to amend the meeting agenda to include discussion on the paving project. Then, sitting Commissioner Bragg Carter made the motion to contract a portion of the project, while site prep work would be done by the county engineer’s office. The motion was seconded by then Commissioner David Ellis, and it passed unanimously. Elmore did not abstain on either vote.

On Wednesday, and at the request of Chairman Bill Godwin, the newly-installed county commission agreed to suspend hiring, the buying and selling of assets and to halt work on the road projects. Elmore and Commissioner Carl Turman voted against it, forcing Godwin to break the tie vote 2-2.

Godwin said then and Thursday his decision was designed to allow commissioners time to get a better grasp on the county’s current financial situation; however, Elmore disagreed.

When asked if he thought the decision was motivated by the ongoing work on Braswell Road, Elmore said, “I think it had some bearing, but I don’t know the reason behind the decision. I voted my conscience. The other three (which included Godwin and commissioners Ken Northey and Joe Barton) must have known what was on the agenda. I was blindsided. We hadn’t discussed anything about it.”

Godwin said he wasn’t sure exactly what projects were ongoing in the county.

“Braswell Road? I don’t have access to information that shows it was a project voted on by the county,” he said. “But people should remember, this is only temporary.”

 

Godwin said he couldn’t speculate on when work might resume.

“I’m not sure how much time we need to spend on the budget,” he said. “Right now, I don’t think it will be all that long.”

County employees are continuing work on FEMA projects and road maintenance issues.

“I’m not sure how much time we need to spend on the budget,” he said. “Right now, I don’t think it will be all that long.”

County employees are continuing work on FEMA projects and road maintenance issues.