Residents of Paulding and Carroll counties are uniting in opposition to a proposed rock quarry, slated to disrupt the rural serenity of their communities. The planned project, which could occupy 200 acres near Highway 101 on the Carroll-Paulding County line, has prompted fears among local citizens regarding potential noise pollution, air contamination, property damage, and the adverse effects on their peaceful neighborhood.
"We might not be able to stay here if this happens," Charlotte Steed Moon expressed her concern to FOX 5, her family's roots in the property dating back to pre-Civil War times, now threatened by the looming quarry, dozens gathered to demonstrate their discontent with the kids waving handmade signs in a show of unity against the rezoning application.
Among those opposing the quarry is Joey Frey, owner of Astin Creek Rescue Ranch, who fears the impacts of mining blasts on the health and well-being of the rescue's animals, including horses, goats, and donkeys, FOX 5 reported. Despite these voiced concerns, a rebuttal came from Mark Brown of TPM Land and Natural Resource Consulting, one of the applicants for the project, insisting that modern quarries are under stringent supervision by multiple state and federal agencies to ensure community impact is minimized.
Arguments from residents have also taken to online platforms where a Change.org petition circulates, gathering signatures to stop the rezoning for the quarry, the petition highlights concerns including lower property values, increased heavy commercial truck traffic that would disrupt the local serenity and could endanger civilian safety and whereas there are already existing quarries in the area—the addition of another could intensify the aggregate burden on the community; these concerns were outlined in a petition appearing on The Times-Georgian.
With Carroll County commissioners already expressing opposition and calling upon their counterparts in Paulding to deny the project, the area is braced for the upcoming Paulding planning board meeting on July 23, where the fate of the quarry—and the community's way of life—may be decided.
