On Monday, May 18, a group of approximately 50 residents met at the Starrsville United Methodist Church to discuss a proposal by the Newton County Board of Commissioners to purchase the railroad spur running from Porterdale through Shady Dale. This connector would link Porterdale, Covington, Mansfield, Newborn and Shady Dale with government-owned land. This connector has been proposed as either a trails network to be used by bicyclers, joggers, hikers and dog walkers, or as a passenger rail line to ferry people between communities for work, shopping or dining.