Controversy over gravel road continues

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - A road project in Clinton County got the red light and community members are hoping it stays that way.

It's an $80,000 project to pave County Road 450 West.

The project was approved by county commissioners at their Aug. 6 meeting.

Several residents said county commissioner Mike Beard wants the road paved because his home sits off that road.

But Beard said he wants it done because a nature preserve sits off the road.

Attorney fees are needed after residents won an injunction against the project last month.

As of now, they've received about 800 signatures on a petition to stop the project, but they're still looking for more.

"We're getting closer and closer to our goal," Clinton County resident Richelle Lutz said. "We want to try and raise three thousand dollars for attorneys' fees. We're still trying to get all of the signatures on the petition. We'd like to see at least two thousand to three thousand signatures."

"We need to get as many as we can so that when it goes to court, that's going to speak volumes. When the citizens speak, that's going to speak volumes on our side," Clinton County resident Joyce Weida said.

Organizers of the petition say they're waiting for the Indiana Supreme Court to appoint a judge to the case.

That process could take several months.