The Ware County Board of Commissioners recently passed a non-binding advisory referendum to put the proposed Ware-Pierce-Brantley bypass up for a vote in the General Primary Tuesday, May 19.
The bypass will cross through each of the three counties, with the goal of alleviating traffic into Ware County. However, one point of contention with the bypass has been the proposed path taking it through multiple residential properties.
The Waycross Journal-Herald conducted on-thes treet interviews to get a snapshot of the public’s opinion on the matter.
“I think it would be good,” Ware County resident Lisa McGauley said.
McGauley
Diana Marteun, a Pierce County resident, stated, “I would love it, but I don’t want them to take from other people.”
One Ware County resident and business operator who asked to remain anonymous, said they supported the bypass, and would “create opportunity and business where they’re put in.”
Ware County resident Donnie Carter said, “I think it has been needed for a long time, but it’s narrow-minded, how they’re doing it.”
Tammy Hall, a resident of Patterson, reiterated the concern over the use of residential property, saying, “I don’t agree with it, it’s taking property that doesn’t belong to them.”
There is currently a bill in the Georgia General Assembly (House Bill 1903) pertaining to the bypass and a referendum on it that has yet to be approved and signed by Gov Brian Kemp.
According to Danny Bartlett, Chairman of the Ware County Board of Elections and Registration, the bill has not yet been signed by the governor, as the public has “not demonstrated support” for the bypass.
The Waycross-Journal Herald will provide updates on the bypass issue as it develops.
Hall
