Save Tung Oil Road* No donations are being asked by the petitioners*
The Issue
Save Tung Oil Road: Protect Our History, Community, and Public Forest!
For generations, Tung Oil Road in Florala has been more than dirt—it is a gateway to Geneva State Forest and a piece of Covington County’s agricultural history, named for the historic local tung-oil industry and processing mill.
From Hank Williams Jr. playing at the barn at the end of the road to generations of families using this route, Tung Oil Road is part of our community’s history.
Now, for the second time, a single landowner is seeking to vacate and close approximately 2.25 miles of Tung Oil Road for private use. Years ago, local families—including ours—had to fight in court to keep this road open. We shouldn’t have to keep defending public access to a road that has served our community for generations.
Fairness for Everyone
Our family also owns land on both sides of a portion of this road. If owning property on both sides were enough reason to close a public road, why couldn’t we close the section through our property?
That wouldn’t be right for our family, and it shouldn’t be right for anyone else. The same standard must apply to every landowner.
Why Tung Oil Road Must Stay Open
* Geneva State Forest: Families, hunters, anglers, campers, and four-wheeler riders have used this route for generations to reach public forest land.
* Hardship on the West End of Tung Oil Road: Closing this section doesn’t eliminate traffic—it shifts the traffic and burden to the west end of Tung Oil Road, creating increased traffic, wear and tear, noise, and safety concerns for families living in that area.
* Emergency & Community Access: Closure means longer routes for residents, farmers, visitors, and potentially emergency responders, adding time, mileage, and fuel costs.
* Our History: The road is tied to Florala’s tung-oil history, generations of family memories, Hank Williams Jr., and the families who previously fought to keep it open.
The Real Cost
If the county is considering closure partly to save road-maintenance costs, the full community impact must also be considered. Any savings must be weighed against reduced forest access, increased traffic, longer travel, additional fuel costs, wear on alternate routes, and the loss of a historic public road.
The cost doesn’t disappear—it gets shifted onto local residents and neighboring areas.
PUBLIC HEARING — TUNG OIL ROAD
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 9:00 A.M.
Covington County Commission Chambers
Administrative Building
260 Hillcrest Drive
Andalusia, Alabama
Residents and interested parties are invited to attend and speak about the proposed vacation and closure.
Please sign this petition and ask the Covington County Commission to treat every landowner fairly and KEEP TUNG OIL ROAD OPEN!
Protect our history. Protect public access. Protect our community.
**** No donations are being asked for by the petitioners- this platform change.org ask for donations to promote this petition- as in any petition if you use this platform—- if you decide to give- which I don’t think you should- the money goes to change.org and not anyone else. ****
286
The Issue
Save Tung Oil Road: Protect Our History, Community, and Public Forest!
For generations, Tung Oil Road in Florala has been more than dirt—it is a gateway to Geneva State Forest and a piece of Covington County’s agricultural history, named for the historic local tung-oil industry and processing mill.
From Hank Williams Jr. playing at the barn at the end of the road to generations of families using this route, Tung Oil Road is part of our community’s history.
Now, for the second time, a single landowner is seeking to vacate and close approximately 2.25 miles of Tung Oil Road for private use. Years ago, local families—including ours—had to fight in court to keep this road open. We shouldn’t have to keep defending public access to a road that has served our community for generations.
Fairness for Everyone
Our family also owns land on both sides of a portion of this road. If owning property on both sides were enough reason to close a public road, why couldn’t we close the section through our property?
That wouldn’t be right for our family, and it shouldn’t be right for anyone else. The same standard must apply to every landowner.
Why Tung Oil Road Must Stay Open
* Geneva State Forest: Families, hunters, anglers, campers, and four-wheeler riders have used this route for generations to reach public forest land.
* Hardship on the West End of Tung Oil Road: Closing this section doesn’t eliminate traffic—it shifts the traffic and burden to the west end of Tung Oil Road, creating increased traffic, wear and tear, noise, and safety concerns for families living in that area.
* Emergency & Community Access: Closure means longer routes for residents, farmers, visitors, and potentially emergency responders, adding time, mileage, and fuel costs.
* Our History: The road is tied to Florala’s tung-oil history, generations of family memories, Hank Williams Jr., and the families who previously fought to keep it open.
The Real Cost
If the county is considering closure partly to save road-maintenance costs, the full community impact must also be considered. Any savings must be weighed against reduced forest access, increased traffic, longer travel, additional fuel costs, wear on alternate routes, and the loss of a historic public road.
The cost doesn’t disappear—it gets shifted onto local residents and neighboring areas.
PUBLIC HEARING — TUNG OIL ROAD
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 9:00 A.M.
Covington County Commission Chambers
Administrative Building
260 Hillcrest Drive
Andalusia, Alabama
Residents and interested parties are invited to attend and speak about the proposed vacation and closure.
Please sign this petition and ask the Covington County Commission to treat every landowner fairly and KEEP TUNG OIL ROAD OPEN!
Protect our history. Protect public access. Protect our community.
**** No donations are being asked for by the petitioners- this platform change.org ask for donations to promote this petition- as in any petition if you use this platform—- if you decide to give- which I don’t think you should- the money goes to change.org and not anyone else. ****
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Petition created on August 26, 2026