by Sabrina Simms

VIDALIA — Concordia Parish citizens voiced their need for road repairs Monday night to members of the Concordia Parish Police Jury.

The jury allowed open correspondence with the public near the closing of Monday night’s meeting, during which Vidalia resident Ryan McGraw said he was tired of paying for repairs on his vehicles due to the state of parish roads.

“I’m sick and tired of buying front ends and new trucks. … It’s like there’s no quality control,” McGraw said.

Jurors discussed repairs for Leroy Williams, Centennial, Forest, Freeman and Poole roads.

A federal grant was received to cover Poole Road in a layer of white rock, while more rocks have been ordered for repairs on other roads already.

Concordia Parish Police Jury Secretary and Treasurer Sandi T. Burley said the work on Poole Road is a three-part process that could take up to three years to complete.

McGraw among many other concerned citizens requested more repairs be done.

McGraw said ditches on the roadside need to be re-cut to allow water to drain off the roads and keep the rocks from being washed out. A few attendees said they would rather see new pavement on the roads than more rock.

“You can’t drive a car down Forest Road. … Something has got to be done,” McGraw said.

McGraw said he lives on Forest Road near the airport, and said the road is lower than the ditches around it.

“If you can drink a cup of coffee on my road without spilling it, I’ll give you $1,000 dollars,” McGraw said.

Jury President Jimmy Wilkinson said something would be done about the roads when the rainwater dries up.