Residents weigh in on Ken Davis Road closure

Published 12:39 pm Monday, March 2, 2026

Residents living on and around Ken Davis Road shared their thoughts on the road’s usefulness Monday as the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors weighs a petition to close the road. A competing petition has also been filed asking the county to keep the road open.

In a public hearing, supervisors heard residents speak in support of both sides of the issue. Ken Davis, who has lived on the road since 1982, said the road needs to stay open to allow access from both the north and south ends.

Railroad tracks crossing the northern end of the road are occasionally blocked by trains, he said, and the narrow road does not provide a turnaround for large vehicles. Ken Davis Road is also used by garbage trucks and postmen, and closure could impact their routes as well, he said.

Davis said he is also concerned closing the road will negatively impact property values for those owning land along the road.

Jeff Davis, who lives on Russell Topton, said he occasionally has to take farm equipment to a shop near Marion for maintenance and repair, and Ken Davis Road provides a much safer route than other, busier roads.

“In the future, if that road were to be closed, we would have to go alternate ways that would be more dangerous,” he said.

Brittany Winstead, who lives in Collinsville, said she and her husband own some land off Sam Lackey Road, which connects with the south end of Ken Davis Road. She said Ken Davis Road is used by logging trucks whenever they harvest timber at her property.

“If that end of the road were to be closed, then it would be a lot more difficult for the logging trucks to be able to access it and get the timber in and out and their equipment,” she said.

Glynn Boardman, who owns property along Ken Davis and Sam Lackey roads, said having the road open is causing more trouble than it’s worth. People have been using the road to dump yard debris and other material, she said, and vehicles engaging in suspicious activity use the road at night.

“It’s just no good having that road there,” she said. “It’s not necessary.”

Elizabeth Vance, Boardman’s sister, said the family has a fence that sits close to the road, which was damaged by vehicles using Ken Davis Road.

“We want that road closed, and I would really appreciate it if you would consider this,” she said.

Supervisor Joe Norwood said he wants to meet up with Road Manager Rush Mayatt and go see the road for himself prior to making a decision. He asked the board to take Monday’s comments under advisement to give him some additional time.

Supervisor Josh Todd, who serves as Board President, said appointing a committee to go see the road and bring a recommendation back to the full board would be a good idea. He selected Norwood, along with Supervisor Kyle Rutledge, to serve on the committee.