Three Candidates For Oconee Commission Want That Body To Play A Strong Role In U.S. 441 Widening

The three candidates for Post II on the Oconee County Board of Commissioners want the Board to play a strong role in representing citizen concerns to the Georgia Department of Transportation as it plans for the widening of U.S. 441 in the south of the county and a bypass of Bisho

In separate interviews, each candidate called for the Commission to play a stronger role than it is playing a present.

Ben Bridges said the commissioners need to “stand up” to GDOT and even questioned the need for a bypass of Bishop.

Chuck Horton said the commissioners should not “take a back seat” and say that the project simply belongs to GDOT.

Marcus Wiedower said the commissioners have to be “advocates" for the people adversely affected by the roadway project.

GDOT is holding an Open House from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Community Center in Veterans Park on Hog Mountain Road to discuss the project.

The Oconee County Utility Department will hold a Town Hall Meeting on water and wastewater resources at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, also at Oconee Veterans Park Community Center.

For more on the story, go to Oconee County Observations.

Pictured: Bridges, Horton, Wiedower.