Lawmakers change tune on road maintenance

Word from Columbia is that state lawmakers are scaling down an idea to require counties to take over the complete maintenance of some roads under state control. Like the state, county leaders say their budgets can’t accommodate the costs involved. Joel Thrift, chairman of Oconee County’s road and transportation committee, reacted yesterday to the news that House members are revising their plan to make optional county takeover of some state roads. “I think that’s a better approach,” said Thrift. “Once we hear what the proposal is we can make a determination at that time.”