Speed bumps on Crockett discussed

Residents of Crockett Avenue have submitted a petition to the city requesting the removal of the three sets of speed bumps. 

Thirteen residents signed the petition, citing concerns that the speed bumps are overly aggressive. However, the majority of Crockett residents are not opposed to implementing measures for speed control, officials said.

During last Tuesday’s meeting, aldermen engaged in a discussion over speed bumps and will be deciding in the coming weeks on whether to maintain the current prevalence of speed bumps throughout the city or to consider scaling back.

“We have a list of residents who are against the speed bumps, and another group of residents that do want them,” said Ward 1 Alderman Justin Clearman. “We need to get them all up here in a room to talk over it before we make any decision.”

Ward 2 Alderman Jim Fulton proposed a potential compromise, on Crockett suggesting the addition of a three-way stop at the intersection of Breazeale and Crockett, along with installing rumble strips to help prevent speeding.

Speed bumps have been installed on several streets including Austin, Barham, Coleman, Crockett Avenue, Poplar Avenue, Line, South Lewis Avenue, and Border Street.

The Street Department is awaiting the board’s decision on whether to proceed with further installation of speed bumps in areas deemed necessary.

“The speed bumps are serving their intended purposes well,” said Street Department Superintendent Patrick Gray. “As long as drivers adhere to the speed limits, there should be no damage to their vehicles. Safety is our number one priority in the city.”

In other matters, aldermen voted to:

• Approve a motion to approve the memorandum of agreement with Neshoba County for 911 Emergency Dispatch Services as amended with addendum and allow the mayor to sign. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to pay Custom Products invoice totaling $4,619.68 for new road signage out of Bond B account. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to allow the payroll clerk to attend a Workers’ Comp Workshop on April 4 in Flowood, and for the city to pay travel expenses. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to allow Mayor James A. Young to travel to a CDBG workshop in Flowood on March 25 and to the East Central Mayors meeting in Macon on March 28. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to set a hearing date for April 16 to adopt the redistricting plan for the city of Philadelphia as presented by East Central Planning and Development. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to approve a C Spire road bore along State Avenue, Saint Francis Drive, Gordon Avenue, Iva Street, Tank Street, Keith Street, Franklin Avenue, Walton Street, Stewart Street, East Haven Drive, and Eastpoint Drive. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to approve MaxxSouth road bores as listed along Byrd Avenue, St. Francis Drice, and Valley View Drive. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to approve C Spire fiber hub location on 809 Pecan Ave. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to accept the resignation of Tatum McMullan from the Police Department effective March 8. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to hire Wyatt Gore as Patrolman 1st Class at $15.86 an hour with the Police Department effective March 20. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to surplus and place on auction with GovDeals a 2018 Ford Taurus from the Police Department. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to block Byrd Avenue for an event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, and block Main to Center Ave starting at 10 p.m. on Friday, March 29 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 30. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to promote Britt Baker to firefighter at $13.88 an hour. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to accept the resignation of Matthew Lomax from the Fire Department effective March 16. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to hire Aaron Adcock as Driver/EMT with the Fire Department at $15.63 an hour effective March 30. The motion was approved unanimously.