The idea of a four-way stop at the entrance of Lake Reba Recreational Complex was officially laid to rest Tuesday after city commissioners, along with Richmond Mayor Connie Lawson, voted against the ordinance at a noon meeting.
The ordinance’s first reading was heard at the July 8 meeting where Commissioner Kay Cosby Jones, who was unable to attend Tuesday’s meeting, mentioned that the four-way stop was needed to assist children in crossing the street going to and from the aquatic center.
Jones said the stop signs were a request of the Highland Park/Highland Lake Neighborhood Association.
The city street department installed the four-way stop about three weeks ago, and it has since been taken down, said Richmond City Manager David Evans.
“I think Commissioner Jones probably wanted those as a permanent structure, but on the advice of legal counsel, there has to be an ordinance passed,” he said.
Despite the neighborhood association’s request, the four-way stop was not a success.
A resident of Parkview Way recently sent complaints via e-mail about the stop signs that were installed, and later taken down.
He call the idea “well intended,” but “a bad idea.”
“Many drivers simply did not stop in the short period (the four-way stop) was up,” he wrote. “I was almost hit making a right turn on to Gibson Bay Drive ... I have stood in my front yard and watched people breeze right through the stop sign.”
He also addressed the traffic jam the stop signs seemed to be creating.
“As people are leaving the ball fields and aquatic center, traffic backs up past the ball fields to the soccer fields,” he wrote.
Commissioners Tuesday also voiced their concerns about the ordinance that would allow the signs to be installed permanently.
“I’m not in support of creating a four-way stop, but we need to do something for the people entering and exiting,” said Commissioner Robert Blythe. “It would be good to have a well-defined crosswalk there.”
Blythe suggested at the July 8 meeting that park security workers at Lake Reba Recreational Complex could be in charge of making sure traffic flows freely during the busiest times of the day.
Brewer, Blythe and Commissioner Bill Strong all voted against the ordinance.
Jones could not be reached Tuesday for a comment.
In other business:
• An order was adopted allowing the city to release funding to the Richmond Industrial Development Corporation for site preparation work in the Richmond Industrial Park.
Grant’s Excavating, based in Richmond, was given $512,885.21 and QUORE Property Sciences, based in Lexington, was given $10,906.25.
• The city purchased a Bobcat skid-steer loader from Bobcat Enterprises for $25,114.93. The piece of equipment will be used in the city’s recycling department.
• The city officially entered into a lease agreement with the Daniel Boone Chapter of the American Red Cross for office space in the basement of City Hall.
• Jeffery Steven Bonham, Daniel Neil Ellis and Derek Kendall Noe have been hired as Richmond police officers effective Aug. 11.
• Eugene Strange was appointed to the Citizens Advisory Board for Police and Community Relations; Floyd Covington was reappointed to the Richmond Parks and Recreation Board; and Whitaker Communications was appointed to serve as a public information liaison for the city.
• Ken Campbell was hired to serve in the city’s Golf Maintenance/Greens Department.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.
Local News
Four-way stop signs voted down
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Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
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Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
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About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
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Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
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For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
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