Dear Editor,
In reviewing recent paving updates, I noticed that Scuffleboro Road is scheduled to be paved from Pea Ridge Road to Emory Road, at the county manager's recommendation.
I have driven this stretch regularly for nearly six years and have not seen any missing chunks of asphalt. In fact, a video documenting the roadway from Emory to Pea Ridge shows no missing chunks of asphalt or conditions that would typically call for full resurfacing.
This raises legitimate questions about how this road was prioritized. If there is documentation supporting the claim of missing asphalt — such as photographs or an engineering assessment — I believe it should be shared publicly.
At the July 15, 2025, Board of Commissioners meeting, the county manager stated that selecting roads “was not brain surgery” and acknowledged that political considerations play a role. Given that statement, it is reasonable for citizens to ask whether personal, family, business, or development interests influenced this recommendation.
Additionally, the commissioners and taxpayers are still waiting for the list of roads to be paved from the fund balance. [County Commission Chairman Bill] Sharp requested that this be presented in 90 days rather than 30. That was October 13; we are now at 149 days!
I would ask that Chair Sharp view the video or ride the road himself.
Transparency in road selection is essential to maintaining public trust, especially when funding is limited, and many roads across the county remain in worse condition.
Don Sadler, Putnam County