By Terry L. Hapney, Jr.
The Ironton Tribune

Concerned citizens—including some who live and operate a business on a township road in Lawrence County—addressed the Oct. 29 meeting of the Lawrence County Commissioners.
One citizen said her concerns regarding Aid Township Road 245 East. She brought to the commissioners’ attention multiple issues with the narrow passage of that roadway, indicating she had spoken with the commissioners this past spring and last year. She also said the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department has responded “quickly to address things.” In addition, she said there are some people “disgruntled”—including one who is “in court with issues with other neighbors.”
“There’s another neighbor a couple of years ago who tried to run over two (horse) riders,” she said. “They just happened to be FBI agents. Now, they’re back at it.”
The citizen said in August, sheriff’s deputies were at a festival there to ensure it was “a clean event.”
“A gentleman from West Virginia who is over law enforcement and two other people riding—that same truck that tried to run over the FBI agents—they tried to push other people off the road,” she said.
The citizen said people “came up honking behind the horses, which can scare a horse.”
“They’re a flight animal,” she said. “Horses have the right of way, then the pedestrians, then other cars and trucks.”
The citizen said it is a recreational area with federal trails.
“I’m looking for a solution—maybe some signs that show the right-of-way order,” she said. “At least if we had it posted it may help them understand that the horse does have the right of way. They came up honking and then came so close that the mirror hit the saddle bags on the horse.”
She said this was addressed by law enforcement several years ago, “but they’re at it again.”
“The other person has shot at the horses,” she said. “That one’s in court.”
The citizen said she has access to the roadway, which is a short distance. However, she said there are two houses prior to hers.
“The family has erected posts and rocks,” she said. “Their property is across the creek but they seem to think the roadway is part of their property. We need to do something. We took a letter to the township in July asking for the legalities. We want safe entrance to our home and business.”
On trick-or-treat weekend, the citizen said shots were fired into her property with children there. She said there are also issues with objects that are placed around the roadway to make it narrower and floodwaters washing out the roadway.
The letter she took to the Trustees in July was forwarded to the prosecutor.
Commissioner Colton Copley provided a response from the prosecutor, referring the Aid Township Trustees to a letter his office had written to them in April.
“They asked for this opinion in April,” Copley said. “They said, ‘We stand by our letter that was sent to you on April 30, 2024.’ Today, we accepted this (letter) from the prosecutor, dated Oct. 25.”
The letter indicates that if there is an obstruction in a township road that the township may remove it. Township officials should report the obstruction to the sheriff. The sheriff could contact the people who are causing it requesting removal.
Commissioner DeAnna Holliday asked if the citizen had ever pressed charges for harassment. The woman indicated that is in process. Holliday also asked if she has considered civil action.
“Everything you’ve described is alarming,” Holliday said. “It’s unfortunate. I know the effort you put into travel and tourism in this county. I know what the horse park has brought to this county. We want (people) to have an experience that entices them to come back.”
Holliday said oftentimes someone can accomplish more from a civil matter than they can by seeking certain action from government offices that have protocols to follow. Sheriff Jeff Lawless recommended setting up a meeting with the prosecutor, trustees, Sheriff’s office and county engineer.
Copley said if it is a question about the roadway, the trustees can have it surveyed.
Also at its meeting, the commissioners:
• Approved floodplain permit renewals submitted by the Soil and Water Conservation District—Estate of Arthur Bryant Jr., bridge and bank stabilization projects located across from 2479 County Road 52.; Charles and Susan Sammons, filling and grading, clearing and burning on site brush projects located at 320 Township Road 1086.; Symmes Valley Local Schools, dug out project located at 13959 State Route 141.; Rusty Hunt, filling and grading, stream maintenance and top soil removal projects located at 8055 State Route 775; Rusty Hunt, filling and grading, stream maintenance and top soil removal projects located on County Road 65 and Township Road 192N.
• Approved appropriations and transfers dated Oct. 29, under $50,000 submitted by Dylan Bentley, acting administrator.
• Approved appropriations and transfers dated Oct. 29, more than $50,000 submitted by Bentley.
• Received and forwarded the Aid Township Road 245 East right-of-way complaint response from the county prosecutor to the Lawrence County Engineer’s office for review.
• Approved the status change for Keith Strickland from full-time EMT to full-time paramedic effective Oct. 27, and James Ellison from part-time to full-time effective Nov. 1, submitted by Kathy Bamer, finance administrator.
• Received and filed the prosecutor’s opinion dated Oct. 25, regarding obstructing township roads.
Met in executive session with Bentley and Lawless about collective bargaining.