Frustrations over unfinished and problematic road repairs in Inverness boiled over at Monday’s Sunflower County Board of Supervisors meeting, as Inverness Mayor David Smith pressed for clear answers and a timeline after what he described as years of delays and broken promises.
Smith, addressing the board at the county courthouse, highlighted the mounting anger among Inverness residents who, he said, have endured four years waiting for the streets to be completed.
"The very week that we started on them, TJ got fired, and when he got fired, that threw a monkey wrench in my street," Smith said. "We expected the roads to be fixed right so you could enjoy riding on them. When are you going to fix them? That’s just the bottom line."
He described the existing conditions as "like riding on a rub board," adding, "it’s so dusty you can hardly drive." Smith told supervisors that complaints from townspeople are constant: "I need to get this resolved. I got a whole lot of citizens that are very upset, and they can’t stand it."
Board President and District 5 Supervisor Gloria Dickerson led the session, joined by Supervisors Glenn Donald (District 1), Riley Rice (District 2), Roger Anthony (District 3), and Anthony Clark (District 4). Board members acknowledged the widespread dissatisfaction.
Donald said progress fizzled after key staff changes and wet weather occurred and that the roadbed in Inverness is softer than in most rural areas. He noted the gravel mix used was not suitable, causing dust and ruts.
"We’re going to have to come through and take the hot mix machine and lay on a thin layer. That’s the only way you’re going to do that, or just dig it all back up, and that’s a waste of money," he said, referencing similar fixes on Baird Road and Waco Road.
County Road Manager Tim Howell said crews resumed work this week.
"They took the equipment back down to Inverness on Tuesday. They have been working on it and plan to get those streets right this week, and as soon as possible they will do the hot mix," Howell said. He added that he is working with county engineer Ron Casada of Gardner Engineering to ensure the job is done properly.
Howell said the goal is to have the roads swept, dust-free, and overlaid with hot mix as soon as materials and scheduling allow.
"It’s too early to put up an exact date on it, but as soon as the hot mix is ready, we’ll be out there," he said.
Even as the county set plans in motion, Inverness residents have publicly voiced their dissatisfaction.
"It’s like a dust storm when you come through," said resident Kent Toler. "It’s totally (unsatisfactory) — the way it is now, we were better off with the other roads. They need to come back and fix it like it’s supposed to be."
Another resident, Eric Price, pointed to additional concerns: "Loose gravel and rocks in the heart of town do a lot of damage to cars. You can’t keep your vehicle clean, it dusts up buildings, it’s bad for your sinuses. In this day and age, we should have done whatever we had to do to get those roads blacktopped and in better shape."
Board President Dickerson promised that a clear plan is in place and citizens will be kept informed.
"We wanted you to hear our plans so the citizens would know," she said.
The Sunflower County Board of Supervisors meets at the county courthouse as a body twice a month most months.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 4.
