Local Politics

The Times-Georgian reported on September 1, 2026, that the Carroll County Board of Commissioners voted that Tuesday to declare a portion of Old Five Notch Road abandoned. The story places the abandoned portion near the intersection of Mount Zion Church Road and says 0.185 acres between the former and current Old Five Notch Road shapes the former road into a curve around the land. It says the board opened a public hearing before the vote and does not date that hearing. One resident, described as a property owner who said he had entered a transaction with the owner of the 0.183-acre parcel, asked that the abandoned portion be grassed over. Danny Yates, superintendent of public works and roads, told the board there had been no use of the former road since before the early to mid-1990s, and that the abandonment does not cause a negative impact on any entities or public safety.

A separate Carroll County resolution posted by the county is dated September 1, 2026, and is signed in the document blocks by Chairman Michelle Morgan and County Clerk Sandra Huey. That resolution finds that the former location of a portion of Old Five Notch Road, near Mount Zion Church Road in Land Lot 67 of the 3rd District, has ceased to be used by the public to the extent that no substantial public purpose is served. It declares the property officially abandoned, says it shall no longer be part of the county road system, and says the rights of the public in that road shall cease. It also authorizes the chairman, or the vice-chairman in the chairman’s absence, to dispose of the abandoned property under O.C.G.A. § 32-7-4. The resolution text says a public hearing on the abandonment was held on August 4, 2026.

The Times-Georgian also says the commission approved a consent agenda the same day. That list includes sheriff’s office vehicles for $466,560 from SPLOST; a courthouse x-ray and magnetometer for $37,200 plus a two-year warranty for $4,800 from the Public Safety School Zone Speed Camera Fund; and a Hurst Vetter lifting-bag system for $44,205 with maintenance costs of $14,812, to be reimbursed by a Department of Homeland Security and Georgia Emergency Management Agency grant.

What we know: Both the September 1 Times-Georgian report and the county resolution dated September 1, 2026, say the board abandoned a former portion of Old Five Notch Road near Mount Zion Church Road.

What we don't: Neither page states a vote count, and neither page says whether the resident’s request to grass the segment was granted.

The City Menus story dated September 29, 2026, says Carroll County officially opened Moss Ferry Park that day. The byline names Ashley Hulsey. The story says the project preserves a piece of green space and creates a new outdoor place for residents and visitors. It locates the park at 660 Moss Ferry Road, Villa Rica.

The story says Jeff and Brenda Matthews and their family donated the property to Carroll County. Their hope was that the community could enjoy it for generations. Early plans for the land focused on nature trails for residents in the Sandhill and Fairfield communities.

Chairman Michelle Morgan, an avid runner and hiker, worked with Carroll County staff and Georgia and West, Inc. on the trail system. Morgan said, "This is one of those projects that I have been excited about from the very beginning." She said spaces like this matter to a community, and she credited the Matthews family and the people who built the park. She recognized Parks Director Kent Johnston, along with Public Works and Parks employees. Morgan said, "Kent and our team have done a tremendous job."

The park has a network of trails for walkers, runners, and hikers, with several routes and distances. Those routes range from approximately one-half mile to more than three miles.

District 2 Commissioner Clint Chance said the park comes from a vision carried by several boards and many people. He thanked former board member Vickie Anderson, former Chairman Marty Smith, and former Parks Director Ben Skipper. He also thanked current Parks Director Kent Johnston, his staff, and the current board. He said the property had been zoned for a planned unit development that could have meant approximately 300 residential homes. He said the land is instead a park for the whole community, on the north end of the county, and that it backs up to many of his constituents in Fairfield Plantation.

District 5 Commissioner Ben Hicks also represents residents in the park area. He said it is good to see the project completed and open. County leaders recognized Alison Kennedy, general manager of the Fairfield Plantation Property Owners Association. They thanked the partnership between Carroll County and Fairfield Plantation. Officials said they want that relationship to continue as residents use the park. The story says the park took longer to finish than first expected. The focus stayed on a park and trail system that would last for generations. Morgan said, "Today, we finally get to open the park and share it with the community."

What we know: The September 29, 2026, City Menus story says Carroll County opened Moss Ferry Park at 660 Moss Ferry Road, Villa Rica. The land was donated by Jeff and Brenda Matthews and their family.

What we don't: The story does not give park hours, and it does not say whether visitors pay a fee to enter.