BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Inez City Commissioners approved several measures this month, including reducing the speed limit to 5 mph on Whickerfield Road, funding for holiday decorations and a permit application for bridge cleaning.
Commissioners authorized the purchase of five new 5 mph speed limit signs and two “Children at Play” signs for Whickerfield Road, where residents say speeding has become a danger.
Resident Michelle Jude urged the commission to take action.
“It’s set at 15 on both ends,” Jude said. “That’s really too fast out there. The speed bumps aren’t helping. People are flying up and down that road. We have so many kids who play out there. It’s a bike trail, a walking trail and it’s just ridiculous. A kid is going to get hurt badly is what’s going to happen.”
Jude noted the speed limit on Cassady Avenue is 5 mph and suggested the same for Whickerfield.
“If not, put bigger speed bumps in,” she said.
Mayor Daniels and Commissioner Phyllis Conrad agreed that speeding has been an issue in the area.
Commissioners voted to reduce the speed limit from 15 mph to 5 mph.
The city will invest $900 in LED Christmas bulbs this year, which Mayor Ed Daniels said will provide long-term savings.
“They will last a lot longer,” Daniels said.
Commissioners also approved $460 for Trick-or-Treat candy,
Commissioner Roy Penix gave an update on streets, saying the street worker had mowed all of the grass and was checking the Christmas lights for blown bulbs.
“He’s been helping some already with Christmas in the Mountains,” Penix said.
Commissioner Conrad mentioned the need for mowing in the area near the intersection of Route 40 and Route 645 where the city has placed a “Welcome to Inez” sign.
“That needs to be cut through there,” Walker said. “And Terrill, I know he probably doesn’t have time to keep that up through there. But it still needs to look nice where it says ‘Welcome to Inez.’ Maybe the state would help cut that.”
Mayor Daniels said the state is responsible for maintaining that area.
“Well they don’t,” said Walker. “And there are people—they haven’t cut their grass or anything down there. Have you noticed that?”
Commissioner Nita Collier agreed.
“I know we can’t do anything about that,” Walker added.
Penix said he would mention it to the street worker.
“That’s extra work for him,” said Walker.
Penix agreed.
Commissioners approved payment of monthly bills. City Clerk Lisa Mollett noted there were two additional checks were not in the report: $1,500 in dues to the Big Sandy Area Development District and $2,000 to Christmas in the Mountains.
Mollett also reported that she submitted a grant application for a marquee sign and expects results in early November.
Commissioner Collier announced that she completed a permit application to the state to allow the city to clean three bridges: West Main Street at the junction of Route 40 and Old Route 3; Holy Street/Middle Fork; and Rockcastle Creek crossing from Old Route 3 to Route 40. Commissioners approved the application.
Mayor Daniels reported that he attended a recent Big Sandy ADD meeting and spoke about funding for the senior citizens center.
“They told me that [senior citizens director Jennifer Crum] would have money until the end of March,” Daniels said. “[The center] has cut back on the people who are driving up to receive meals. They can’t just drive up; they have to go in and get them now. The meals are still there.”
Daniels said he could not determine whether or not funding cuts would affect the Meals on Wheels program.
“[Big Sandy ADD representatives] are going to weigh real hard on the Legislature when they come back at the first of the year to get more money for the senior citizens center,” he said.