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Charlotte Board Reverses on Courthouse Driveway Plan

   Written by on August 18, 2016 at 10:40 am

By Averett Jones, Southside Messenger Editor

In the August meeting the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors voted 4 to 3 to change the driveway plan from a circular drive to a single two-lane drive between the Historic Courthouse and the Clerk’s Office.

Garland Hamlett, Royal Freeman, Warren Weston and Haywood Hamlet voted for the change with Carwile, Walker and Robert Shook voting for the previously approved plan.

Supervisors voting for the change all stated they based their decisions on a letter from Charlotte Sheriff Thomas Jones to P.K. Pettus which was presented to the board by Pettus in which he stated, “I firmly believe that one drive in and the same drive out is the most secure…”

In an interview Sheriff Jones affirmed his security concerns but stated, “I haven’t been presented with a particular plan.” He also stated he would like a separate entrance for law enforcement.

Regarding community input into the proposed changes The Messenger asked each supervisor, “How many citizens from your district contacted you regarding the driveway change?”

Chairman Haywood Hamlet said, “Not a whole lot, but some…four or five I guess.” Gary Walker, Royal Freeman, Nancy Carwile and Robert shook reported no contacts. Warren Weston reported none from his district but 2 or 3 from other districts. Garland Hamlett stated he didn’t know. “I didn’t keep count.” He said.

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