Residents press Newton County commissioners over ambulance delays, park safety and code‑enforcement follow‑up
May 15, 2026 | Newton County, Georgia
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Several Newton County residents used the May 5 public‑comment period to press county leaders on emergency‑medical response, park maintenance and code‑enforcement responsiveness.
James Peterson said he called 911 when a neighbor possibly suffered a stroke; he said EMTs arrived but an ambulance did not arrive for about an hour and 45 minutes, and the patient ultimately went to Grady (Grady Memorial Hospital) by ambulance. "They had to sit there for an hour and 45 minutes while this lady that had a stroke... was evacuated to Grady," Peterson said. Another speaker told the board the county's 9‑1‑1 agreement with Piedmont (for ambulance service) was renewed in 2016 for 50 years, and said that other counties had returned ambulance services to local control to improve response times.
Denise Williams asked the board to confirm whether Prime Pest Control (contract item 9) had been dissolved, and questioned security planning and lighting at a May 1 movie‑night event at Denny Dodds Park after dark. Commissioner Long responded that Prime operates as a DBA of BNG Service Solutions, Inc. and is active in the Secretary of State records; he told Williams the county would look into the event details.
Pearl Robbins and other residents raised yard‑maintenance and code‑enforcement complaints, saying they had not received timely follow‑up from county staff. A resident urged improvements at Trail Blazers Park, noting broken equipment and long‑standing electrical problems.
County officials acknowledged the comments. Commissioner Edwards said the board was continuing to work on the budget and would provide more information in coming weeks; other commissioners urged staff follow‑up and greater transparency. The record shows residents raised multiple concerns about public safety, parks and the speed of county responses during code‑enforcement and public‑safety incidents; the meeting transcript does not record any formal action or vote to change ambulance contracts or park staffing during the session.
The board closed public comment after running through the speakers list and proceeded to commissioners' remarks and adjournment.
James Peterson said he called 911 when a neighbor possibly suffered a stroke; he said EMTs arrived but an ambulance did not arrive for about an hour and 45 minutes, and the patient ultimately went to Grady (Grady Memorial Hospital) by ambulance. "They had to sit there for an hour and 45 minutes while this lady that had a stroke... was evacuated to Grady," Peterson said. Another speaker told the board the county's 9‑1‑1 agreement with Piedmont (for ambulance service) was renewed in 2016 for 50 years, and said that other counties had returned ambulance services to local control to improve response times.
Denise Williams asked the board to confirm whether Prime Pest Control (contract item 9) had been dissolved, and questioned security planning and lighting at a May 1 movie‑night event at Denny Dodds Park after dark. Commissioner Long responded that Prime operates as a DBA of BNG Service Solutions, Inc. and is active in the Secretary of State records; he told Williams the county would look into the event details.
Pearl Robbins and other residents raised yard‑maintenance and code‑enforcement complaints, saying they had not received timely follow‑up from county staff. A resident urged improvements at Trail Blazers Park, noting broken equipment and long‑standing electrical problems.
County officials acknowledged the comments. Commissioner Edwards said the board was continuing to work on the budget and would provide more information in coming weeks; other commissioners urged staff follow‑up and greater transparency. The record shows residents raised multiple concerns about public safety, parks and the speed of county responses during code‑enforcement and public‑safety incidents; the meeting transcript does not record any formal action or vote to change ambulance contracts or park staffing during the session.
The board closed public comment after running through the speakers list and proceeded to commissioners' remarks and adjournment.
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