Scioto County’s newly appointed Commissioner Merit Smith got a taste of local politics at his first official meeting Thursday—specifically, how often citizens complain about bad roads.
But the commissioners were quick to remind everyone: “We don’t do roads.”
- County roads? Talk to County Engineer Darren LeBrun
- Township roads? Call your Township Trustees
- City streets? Reach out to your City Council member or City Manager
- Village roads? Contact your Village Council
- State highways? That’s a job for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
💬 “Just this morning, someone asked me what I’m going to do about the roads,” Smith shared. “I told them, ‘Talk to Darren LeBrun.’”
“That’s the right answer,” said Commissioner Bryan Davis. “We do this all the time.”
Davis emphasized that although commissioners hear the complaints, they don’t control the budget or projects for roads. “WE DON’T DO ROADS,” he said, half-jokingly. “I’m going to get a shirt made.”
“I’m getting a sign,” Commissioner Scottie Powell chimed in.
Still, the commissioners said they’re happy to pass along concerns to the appropriate departments—but only if complaints are specific. “Just saying ‘the roads are bad’ doesn’t help,” Davis noted.
🚧 As for current roadwork chaos, Davis addressed citizen frustration with an infrastructure overhaul in Sciotoville.
“It looks like a war zone,” he admitted. “Getting to work is getting harder.”
However, Portsmouth City Manager Sam Sutherland assured commissioners paving should begin soon. The project involves replacing 100-year-old infrastructure, and Davis stressed that the pain now will be worth the progress later.
📢 Bottom line from the commissioners: If you’ve got a pothole problem, make sure you’re talking to the right folks. Because the guys at the courthouse? They don’t do roads.
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