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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 |