Dr. Chip West: From Hurricane Hunter to Newton Trailblazer - Episode 45
Welcome to Episode 45 of The Town Square Podcast!
This week, Trey Bailey flies solo as co-host Gabriel Stovall is out on assignment, and we’re diving deep into the world of Newton Trails with Dr. Chip West, Chairman of the Newton Trails board of directors. What starts as a story about one man’s career chasing hurricanes quickly turns into an inspiring discussion about community, conservation, health, connectivity, and the powerful potential of trails to transform a county.
Who Is Dr. Chip West?
If you’ve ever enjoyed the Cricket Frog Trail in Newton County or wondered who keeps those paths clear and expanding, this is the episode for you. Chip West didn’t set out to be a local trails advocate. In fact, his journey took him through hurricanes—literally—as part of the Air Force’s Hurricane Hunters. Chip’s military career was born from a recruiting mistake (he asked to be a weapons specialist but ended up as a weather specialist) and evolved into nearly 20 years flying into storms and helping direct weather operations for the National Weather Service.
After retiring, Chip was looking for something meaningful to do—and that’s when Newton Trails came calling. Or, as he puts it, he was “voluntold.”
From Storm Chaser to Trail Champion
Chip shares hilarious and hair-raising stories from his time in the sky—including a heart-stopping 5,000-foot drop during a flight into Hurricane Allison. But the real takeaway is how those decades of structure, logistics, and leadership prepared him to now lead one of Newton County’s most passionate grassroots efforts: Newton Trails.
Today, Chip serves as the chairman of Newton Trails, a completely volunteer-led organization with a simple mission: connecting people and places.
Cricket Frog Trail: The Crown Jewel of Newton Trails
The Cricket Frog Trail—Newton County’s marquee rails-to-trails project—now stretches over 14.25 miles and continues to grow. Eventually, it’s expected to run from Porterdale to Newborn and connect nearly every major town in Newton County via paved, shaded, and scenic multi-use trails.
Chip breaks down: - The unique history of the rail lines that shaped the trail’s path - Why the trail is safer and more scenic than many people realize - The power of e-bikes and accessibility for seniors and families - Plans to connect trails from Oxford to Porterdale, and eventually to the state-wide Hi-Lo Trail
Addressing the Controversy: Trails and Community Concerns
This episode doesn’t shy away from the messy middle. Trey and Chip discuss: - Safety concerns at road crossings (and how the new HAWK signals will make them safer) - Concerns about crime and trail access - The economic benefit trails bring to local businesses - How Newton Trails is not funded by local tax dollars, and how the organization partners with government, donors, and volunteers to make improvements
Chip addresses public misconceptions, explains the logistics behind grants and partnerships, and gives a clear, honest picture of the pros and challenges of running a county-wide trail network.
How You Can Get Involved
Newton Trails is 100% volunteer-driven. Chip shares several ways to support their mission: - Join the Adopt-a-Trail program - Volunteer with the Thursday morning work crew - Pick up trash or help blow off debris - Sponsor a memorial bench or donate to specific trail improvement projects
And if you’re the type who loves festivals and good fun, be sure to mark your calendars for October 3rd, when Newton Trails will host its annual fundraising event—this year at Covington’s OHCO District. It’s more than just a party—it’s an opportunity to fuel real, local progress.
From Covington to Savannah: Dreaming Big
Dr. West ends the episode with a vision that could one day make Newton County a central hub for bike and pedestrian connectivity in Georgia. Through existing regional plans like the Hi-Lo Trail and the Atlanta Beltline’s Greenway system, Newton Trails could one day link northwest Georgia all the way to Savannah—helping locals and tourists alike experience the state in a whole new way.
Whether you’re a cyclist, runner, walker, business owner, or someone who simply loves our community, this episode will show you how something as simple as a paved path can become a lifeline between towns, people, and progress.
Important Links Mentioned in This Episode:
- Newton Trails Website: https://www.newtontrails.org
- Volunteer or Inquire: info@newtontrails.org
- Contact Dr. Chip West: chip@newtontrails.org
- The Town Square Podcast Episodes: https://www.thetownsquarepodcast.com
- Donate to support the podcast: https://www.thetownsquarepodcast.com/donate
Sponsor Spotlight: United Bank Wealth Management
This episode is brought to you by Angel Pitts, United Bank’s Wealth Management Advisor.
Angel Pitts
United Bank Wealth Management
7200 Hwy 278 NE
Covington, GA 30014
Phone: 770-412-4932
Email: ampitts@unitedbank.net
Website: https://www.accessunited.com/wealth-management
Thank you to United Bank and Angel Pitts for helping us bring important conversations to the messy middle!
Like What You Hear? Help Us Keep Going.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode and want to see more community-focused content like it, please: - Like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify - Leave us a 5-star rating and review - Share this episode on your social media feeds
The Town Square Podcast is powered by local listeners and supporters. If you’d like to make a one-time donation or become a monthly supporter at $2 or $5/month, visit: 👉 https://www.thetownsquarepodcast.com/donate
We’re building unity—not uniformity—in Newton County, one messy middle conversation at a time.
See you on the trails!
