Sullivan Co. Commission rejects West Ridge High School road proposal

Sullivan County Commissioners have overwhelmingly voted against a proposal to build an access road to the new West Ridge High School.

The board rejected a resolution in a 15-2 vote, with six commissioners absent and one abstaining, Tuesday night brought to them following passage by the county school board last week which would’ve requested approximately $6 million in bonds to purchase property to construct a road to connect to the soon to be open school.

Commissioner Angie Stanley one of a few leaders who raised concerns about the proposition.

“Why are we buying eight acres of land with education dollars? I feel like that money should be used towards our education instead of going out here and purchasing property,” Stanley said.

Others including Commissioner Herschel Glover suggested reconsidering a proposal from the county’s highway department for upgrades to nearby Lynn Road rather than building an access road as suggested in the resolution from Henry Harr Rd., citing that the proposed road would not be any safer.