Cape County Commission approves vacating part of county road

What happens down a county-maintained road in Hubble Township is no longer a burden on Cape Girardeau County: Commissioners approved vacating County Road 229 at their regular meeting Monday.

Michael Wessel, a resident who owns land next to the road, petitioned the commission in December for residents to take over jurisdiction of the road because he suspected there are illegal activities, including drug-related activities, happening in the area.

Wessel said after the meeting he will place a gate near the intersection of the road and Route A. Stan Murray of the county's highway department said the road could be closed immediately.

Wessel and 12 other residents of the area signed the petition turned in to commissioners. State law requires 12 signatures on a petition for a road or part of a road that is termed useless or an "unreasonable burden upon the district" to be vacated. Wessel said he worked with Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan to police activity on the road, but deputies could not patrol the road at all times so their effort was unsuccessful. A public hearing was also held and no one voiced opposition to the road's closure or the county's plan to vacate.

Other action

Commissioners approved a motion to lease a tractor for purposes of mowing county parks and a motion to seek bids for trading a used tractor used for mowing for a new zero-turn mower.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO

County Road 229, Whitewater, MO