Bad roads not slowing down speeders

Published 1:27 pm Tuesday, June 29, 2010

The Chilton County Commission listened to complaints Monday night about issues they are all too familiar with — unstable roadways and speeding.

Two residents of County Road 871 near Thorsby asked for help with erosion problems on their property resulting from clogged drainage pipes. William Killingsworth presented recent pictures of his driveway washing away due to the poor runoff. He said the problem had occurred repeatedly.

The couple also requested that a sign be placed along the roadway alerting motorists of children playing in the area.

“They literally fly, and it’s a dead end road,” said Charlotte Killingsworth, referring to speeders in the neighborhood.

County Engineer Tony Wearren said his department does not typically install such signs because they seem to indirectly shift responsibility from parents to the county. He also said the signs were ineffective.

“It’s more of an enforcement problem than a sign problem,” he said.

Killingsworth indicated her biggest concern was the possibility of a vehicle losing control and posing a danger to children.

In other business, the commission accepted resignations from outgoing Sheriff’s Department chief clerk Pam Mallory, Deputy Charley Sanders and Commission office clerk Sherry Gandy.

Chilton County Sheriff Kevin Davis was granted the authority to post the vacant deputy position. He said he would not immediately hire a replacement for Mallory, who is retiring, because there might be a need for another deputy position.

The commission also:

Granted Commissioner Red Turnipseed permission to organize public hearings regarding an additional one-cent sales tax. The commission had agreed to hold the hearings in an earlier meeting.

Voted to continue its support of the community corrections program at the request of Mike Smith.

Voted to replace a heating and cooling unit in the Alabama Cooperative Extension Office for $700.

Granted Davis permission to apply for a $46,700 rural grant for two vehicles. The grant would not require any match from the county.