Kellyton residents show opposition to proposed quarry

By Christa Jennings
Senior staff writer

Prior to its regular monthly Town Council meeting Tuesday, the Town of Kellyton held a public meeting regarding the proposed quarry and voicing opposition to the project.

All five Town Council members were present for the meeting, with Mayor Johnny Sharpe absent because of illness. Other elected officials in attendance for the meeting were County Commissioner John Forbus, Commission Chair Lamar Daugherty and Sheriff Michael Howell.

Attendees were asked to sign in, and at least 90 people attended the meeting and signed in. A petition was also made available for those who had not yet signed it and wished to do so.

The meeting was held to share information about the proposed quarry, which as reported previously would be located outside of the Kellyton town limits on County Road 87 if it comes to fruition.

Tom Baker, representing an unidentified company, attended the January County Commission meeting to discuss the proposed project and had also held a meeting with some locals and officials prior to that. Baker has not disclosed the name of the company as he has signed a non-disclosure agreement with the company and its partners.

Baker had originally been expected to attend the Kellyton meeting, but it was reported ahead of time that he would not be attending after all. Despite his absence, the town went forward with its pre-Council meeting specifically to speak on the potential quarry project and show opposition.

Town Clerk Karen Keel started the meeting stating that they wanted to go over some information they had found out, but said they also keep running into walls trying to get information.

She said that Baker had backed out of coming to the meeting, saying that someone likely got the word out to him about what they were going to be doing. He reportedly informed Keel that he was just going to attend to address the Council about the project, but that with it being public knowledge and there having been public meetings about it, he “did not see the need to come.”

However, Keel said they have been told numerous times that they need to be as vocal as they can be regarding the town’s opposition. She said they need to get their attention and show as much opposition to the project as possible, stating the intent of the meeting prior to the Town Council meeting was to show opposition.

Keel explained that the opposition is in regards to the proposed site being so close to homes, stating that is “the whole problem” and that the proximity of neighboring homes is their concern.

In reviewing information, Keel said that they have contacted Steve Marlow with Alabama Power, who is looking into the utility lines on the property, including a transmission line. Keel said that Marlow and an engineer would be checking the site and getting back to her with any information.

Keel said she has also drafted a letter with the County Commission to be presented at the next Commission meeting and voted on. If approved, the letter would show the Commission’s support of the town and community to block the quarry.

Further, Keel said Rep. Ben Robbins and Sen. Clyde Chambliss have been helpful and are in support of the town standing in opposition, as well. She said they have both been trying to do what they can and are in contact with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, or ADEM.

She said she has also emailed Gov. Kay Ivey and Sen. Tommy Tuberville, as a candidate for governor, stating that she knows they are limited on what they can do, but that she wants them to know what is going on, how close the proposed project is to people’s homes and the concerns they have about the rock quarry.

She added that many have been helping and sharing information, including a representative with Coosa Riverkeeper.

Keel said that homeowners are advised and encouraged to take property photos now so that they have those as reference beforehand, in case the quarry does go in and in case their foundations or property suffer any damage from the blasting and other quarry operations.

“I’m not going to stand here and tell you we’re going to be able to stop him; I’m just going to say we’re giving it every opportunity,” Keel said. “When this is over… I want to know I made an attempt.”

In further discussion, Keel asked the crowd that if they believe in prayer to join her in praying about the matter daily, wherever they are, praying that God’s will be done in the matter.

“If He can part the Red Sea and dry the ground for the children of Israel, He can block a quarry,” she said. “Let’s not leave the main person out that can help us.”

Also in discussion, the potential of Native American burial sites being on the property was also mentioned as a possible concern and something that might be taken into consideration before the quarry would go into operation.

Keel also explained that ADEM cannot do anything until the company files for a permit, meaning ADEM cannot do anything with their complaints at this time. However, she said once the company applies for a permit the town will request a public hearing before ADEM awards any permits.

Once the company has applied for permits, then Keel said that is the time they will need to call ADEM with their complaints.

District 2 Commissioner John Forbus also spoke to the crowd and said that he has requested to put on the agenda for Tuesday’s Commission meeting for County Road 50, Moon Road and Hix Road to have a 15-ton weight restriction put on those roads. If approved, then the County Highway Department will install signs on those roads reflecting that.

He added that this would keep the company from being able to travel those roads, causing them to have to find a route directly out to U.S. Highway 280 rather than travel on those Coosa County roads and potentially damage them with heavy trucks.

Forbus also mentioned the state and turning lanes or acceleration lanes that would be required on Highway 280 if the project comes to fruition.

In discussion Forbus said they are doing everything they can while also trying to avoid lawsuits and the expense of fighting lawsuits.

“I promise y’all I’ve done everything, and I’m still trying to come up with anything I can do,” Forbus said. “Like we said, we may not stop him, but we can add some speed bumps that will slow him down. But with protecting our county, I’ve done what I can do there.”

Forbus said that he feels confident his fellow commissioners will stand with him in approving the weight restrictions to protect those roads “that we continuously hear about.”

After further discussion, Forbus asked Denise Walls, executive director of the Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance, if she had any information she wanted to share.

Walls said that Baker did tell her that his partners are not in Alabama currently, that they have operations in Georgia, but not a quarry. She said the graphite quarry in Coosa County would supply their operations in Georgia, as well as selling to the public locally.

As such, Walls said all she knows from what Baker said is that it is a Georgia company, not an Alabama company, putting some speculations to rest regarding which local company might be involved.

In further discussion, Forbus said that there is only so much people can do until the permits are applied for, but said they are also not seeing much activity on the property at this time.

In closing the meeting, Keel said that little things add up and that she is compiling the petition signatures and numbers to submit to legislators and through the proper channels to help show the community’s opposition.

For coverage of the Kellyton Town Council meeting that followed the quarry meeting, see next week’s edition.