Letters to the Editor

 

Mayor: Harrison St. paving “not in our control”

Some questions have been brought to my attention about the paving on Harrison Street. I would like to explain why this is being done and how it is being funded.
Back in April of this year, Madison County Commissioner of Governments advised the City of Alexandria of stimulus money that was available for paving local streets.
My first response was that Alexandria would finally have money to pave streets that needed the attention.
I was quickly disappointed when I learned that the money could only be used for local streets that basically were in pretty good shape.
I did not want Alexandria to waste this opportunity to receive money that would otherwise go to another city or county. Therefore, I had to select one of the few streets that were already marked on a map that were available for this project.
Washington Street was an option but due to the possibility of redeveloping that stretch of roadway, the money and paving would have been a squandered. If the Washington Street project finally becomes to fruition, which includes tearing out the road and road base to place new storm water drains under the road, the new pavement would have to be torn up for the construction phase. I believe Tyler Street was the other option.
I selected Harrison Street for a couple of reasons. One, Harrison Street is our main thoroughfare and has an average daily count of approximately 3,600 vehicles (according to the MCCOG traffic count) per day driving up a down the road. Two, my options were limited and I had to make sure we used all the money. Harrison Street in all actuality was the only option.
There isn’t any local funds’ being distributed for this project. The total from the stimulus is $175,950.96 that was used to hire an engineer, mill and pave the length of Harrison Street from Tyler Street to 11th Street.
So basically what I am saying is this project was not in our control. We could have denied the funding but the monies would have been used elsewhere in the county.
I hope this clears some speculations of the funding of this project and why it was done.
If you still have any questions, I welcome your telephone call at 724-4633, or better yet, please come to my office and I will be happy to answer your questions.
Mayor Jack Woods
Alexandria

 

Annual Toy Drive Rummage a big success

You could not have been more proud of the people who participated and purchased items in our annual Toy Drive Rummage Sale this past weekend.
The large tent was bigger than last year and the supply of clothing, household items, furniture, appliances, etc, was enormous. I felt extremely overwhelmed by the volume BUT once the closed sign went out we had reduced the inventory considerably.
Our goal was to make $2,000 and we surpassed that figure on Saturday evening. The money made on Sunday was "gravy" as my sister called it.
The hot dogs, sloppy Joe's, pop, and baked goods sold well too. It was a good sunny weekend for all to enjoy and I have the sunburn to prove it.
I want to thank all who visited our sale and purchased items plus those who just stopped by to make a donation in our donation bucket. We now have a wonderful start to the bank account to help purchase "new" toys for the families of Alexandria, Summitville, and Orestes who need some type of help at Christmas for their children.
I would also like to thank the following people.. Yes, most are all family but they took time off work and endured the sun and heat to help me do this rummage. I would have been lost without them.. Lori and John Newman, Chandra Rittenhouse, Kim and Kary Wilson, and Jeff and Tracy Wilson along with Ross Rittenhouse and Nathan Hollingsworth who let me "borrow" them and a trailer to move a lot of the big furniture.
My big thanks goes out to Joyce Chapel Church for the use of their yard to hold the event and Byerly Tent Rentals for their donation of the use of the large wonderful tent and tables. Dan Byerly, you are a jewel...
Our next fundraiser will be during the Small Town USA Festival when we will raffle off a "themed basket". During the coming months, anyone wishing to donate for the Christmas Toys can drop off a donation to Mainsource Bank on Harrison St. There is a savings account labeled "Toy Drive" that all money donations will deposited into.
Again, my sincere thanks!!
Terri Brenner Casual LifeStyles Realty, Inc.

 

Suggestions for cost cutting

Mayor Jack Woods,
A few months ago you asked for ideas to cut down expenses, so to give the city employees a much needed raise, the following are some suggestions I have:
1. Close one of the Police buildings,
2. Eliminate some Police cars,
3. Police bikes, I have not seen them being ridden all summer, sell the bikes if not being used.
4. Police cars at the home of Policemen.. if driven off duty, who is paying for the gas ?
5. Is the Animal Control Officer now on the Police force ? I've seen him in uniform and driving a Police car.
6. Did the City hire summer help to mow ? I understood last year this was up to the Street Department and volunteers, why did this change ?
7. Park mowing, make this part of the Park custodians job.
8. Have Park custodians pay their own utilities, phone and cable, I believe this is part of his salary.
9. Reduce hours and salary for the Building Commissioner.
10. Eliminate an increase this year for Mr. Dockery, He was the only one to receive one last year..
11. Are the Air Conditioners in the City Building left running over the three day week ends ?
Businesses Closing: the Music Store, Reflections Beauty Shop, Embrys Grocery, How are the Businesses that opened last year doing ?
I would like to see an update from the Mayor in the Tribune every month.
Cindy J. Strock