If There’s One Thing We Can All Agree On…

COMMUNITY VOICES: If you ask folks in Lawrence County what they all agree on, the first thing you’ll get isn’t silence—it’s laughter, followed by a flurry of answers that sound like a mix between a town hall and a family reunion.

“The roads are awful!” came from just about every direction. From Tammie Beck Simmons, who’s had two vehicles damaged by rough roads, to Theron Dawson, who crowned them “the worst in Alabama,” this was clearly the county’s biggest shared frustration. Rhonda Way Mote summed it up best: “There’s no excuse for us to have such bad roads.” Still, even within the complaints was a sense of shared determination—Beth Briley noted that fixing the roads could be the key to attracting more industry and growth. What stood out most wasn’t the list of problems—it was how much people still believe Lawrence County can be better.

Right behind the roads came the call for healthcare. Over and over, commenters said it plain: “We need a hospital.” Barbara Way, Judie Gale, and Jeremy Hancock echoed what’s become one of the most unifying wishes in the county. The hospital’s absence has clearly left more than a gap in healthcare—it’s left a hole in community security. But the passion behind that call shows that people still want to see Moulton and Lawrence County thrive, and they’re willing to speak up for it.

Not every comment was a gripe—far from it. Grayson Evans reminded everyone that “sports bring communities together,” while Jason Douglas Greene added humor, joking that half the county is “at least second cousins.” Food also made its way into the conversation—Brad Reding gave a shoutout to Pink Pig for the best barbecue, and Tony Appleton proudly declared, “NeSmiths ROCKS!”

There were calls for beautification and progress too. Tina LouAllen and Donna Hatton both dreamed of a more attractive downtown, inspired by nearby Hartselle’s charm. They see the potential for Moulton to match that same energy—with thriving shops, well-kept buildings, and maybe even a nice hotel or two.

And then there’s the wish list for what’s missing: Jordan Rogers and Ashley Lynn Warren made the case for a Chick-fil-A (with some tongue-in-cheek conviction), while Blake Grimes was campaigning for a doughnut shop. Rudy Terry, thinking bigger, called for a 1,000-seat music venue to showcase local talent.

Some comments veered quirky (“Dewalt is better than Milwaukee,” declared Robert Johnston), while others turned neighborly (“We’re all kin,” laughed Jason Greene). Even with disagreements, the humor and heart in the thread stood out—people care because this is their county, and they want it to shine.

So, what can everyone agree on in Lawrence County? Whether it’s smoother roads, better healthcare, or just one more place to grab a chicken sandwich, it’s clear that behind every complaint is the same hope: to make home a little better for everyone who shares it. And maybe that’s the real story here—Lawrence County isn’t short on opinions, it’s full of people who love where they live and believe its best days are still ahead.