on Pike County Commission

Staff Report

Fixing unpaved, out-of-date roads is one of the priorities Joe Bob Allen said will be foremost on his agenda if he is elected as Pike County Commissioner, District 3. Allen said there are several roads north of Troy that become impassable when it rains.

"A lot of senior citizens live on these roads," said Allen. "If they have to go to the hospital or see a doctor or even go to the grocery store, it is hard to travel on mud roads. We have the responsibility to have roads people can travel in any kind of weather, but particularly when the weather is bad.

"If I’m elected, I will see to it that we have ‘all-weather roads.’ That’s not the way it is now."

Allen’s concern is not only for the earthen roads, but for the paved roads that are in such disrepair.

"We have paved roads that are dangerous to most motorists because the roads and shoulders of the roads are in such bad shape, Allen said. "If a car has to move over a little to meet another car, the driver almost looses control of the vehicle because of the dilapidated roadway. I will work year round to fix pot holes in the highway. I won’t do it just before election time."

Allen said he hopes to get out and see more people in his district. He believes the only way to really tell what people need is to ask them. He said he will do his best to do a good job, and will be a full-time commissioner.

Allen is retired from the U.S. Army National Guard.

He is a member of Park Memorial United Methodist Church and a member of the church’s men’s club. He is married to Sarah "Dolly" Allen, and had 15 grandchildren, and said he "has a ball" with all of them.