Midway veteran frustrated with road issues, mayor responds

MIDWAY, Ga. — Retired veteran Charles Dawson says the road leading to his home on Cooper Street in Midway has become so bad that he can no longer reliably receive mail or deliveries, including medications.

The unpaved sand road slopes toward the end of the cul-de-sac, causing rainwater to flow directly onto Dawson’s property. He estimates the damage to his driveway alone could cost $20,000 to repair.

Dawson says he has reached out to the Midway City Council multiple times, but officials told him the city does not have the funds to fix the drainage problems.

“I’ve never asked them to pave it, ”Charles Dawson said. “They always say, ‘We can’t pave it.’ I’m not asking for that. I’m asking them to fix the drainage issues — that’s it."

Last month, a U.S. Postal Service truck got stuck while trying to deliver mail to Dawson’s home. The Postal Service subsequently issued a 10-day notice to “fix the road,” Dawson says his mail, including his and his wife’s medications is now being returned to senders.

Mayor Levern Clancy Jr. said the city is aware of Dawson’s concerns but lacks its own road equipment. Midway relies on Liberty County, which grades roads on a rotation schedule.

“We care about all the citizens of Midway,” Clancy said.“We don’t want to be a burden on anybody, especially when they’re not getting their mail. We want to make sure people get their mail. But our hands are tied.”

Clancy said he is open to requesting that Liberty County grade the road more frequently but cannot guarantee the county will comply.

The Liberty County engineer confirmed that Dawson’s property is not in a designated flood zone and said he hopes Dawson can get the help he needs.