The McIntosh County Commissioners called in re-enforcements Monday when three deaf landowners couldn’t understand explanations about the closing of a road in the Runaway Bay State subdivision, north of Eufaula.

Donna J. McBroom, who is deaf, and Rick and Karen Luellen, both of whom also are deaf, received notices about another landowner who petitioned to close the small stretch of unused road on the north side of McBroom’s property.

The petitioner is J. Dirt Holdings.

The Luellen’s are on the west side of McBroom’s property. They thought the closure might affect them.

At the Dec. 9 commissioners’ meeting the three property owners couldn’t understand what was taking place and there was no one in the courthouse who could interpret sign language.

Discussion of the issue was postponed until this week while a search was conducted to find someone who could speak to the deaf landowners.

They found Sherry Summers, who is manager of O’Reilly Auto Parts and sometimes does sign language services.

District 2 Commissioner Monty Grider said the issue was easily resolved once Summers explained the situation, that the road would be closed, and ownership evenly divided down the middle between McBroom and J. Dirt Holdings.

McBroom signed that she understood and did not object.

“This is the first time in my four years on the board that this issue has come up,” Grider said.

Retirements announced McIntosh County Election Board Secretary Janelle McKnight gave notice of her retirement, effective Jan. 31, 2025. She was appointed Secretary in 2013.

The State Election Board has appointed Kim Limbaugh as her replacement.

County Assessor Trina Williams is retiring effective Dec. 31.

The commissioners appointed First Deputy Jennifer Ballard as her replacement, effective Jan. 2, 2025.