Starkville”s transportation committee is calling on the public to give input next week on sidewalks and other accessibility needs in the city.
The committee will meet Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the Gillespie Street Center, located at 610 E. Gillespie St. All committee meetings are open to the public, but committee Chairman Jim Gafford said he is trying to publicize this meeting due to increased public interest lately in sidewalks, the city”s sidewalk ordinance and other accessibility issues.
“We want to provide an opportunity for people who are passionate about this issue to become engaged in the process,” Gafford said. “It will make things better from a transportation standpoint if we take the time to listen to what people want to do. We want this to be as open as possible.”
At the meeting, the transportation committee will give a short presentation on the sidewalk ordinance as it is enforced today and what amendments the committee has proposed for consideration by the city”s Board of Aldermen. The board has held five public hearings on the proposed amendments, but at its last meeting decided to send the ordinance back to the transportation committee for additional work. Aldermen were concerned not enough input from the public, builders and developers was used in drafting the amendments.
Gafford said the board”s concern about a lack of public input was one of the reasons he is trying to let people know about the meeting on Oct. 21.
“What we really want to do is define what is the goal for the city of Starkville in regards to sidewalks and what is the best path to achieving that goal within the law,” Gafford said.
The transportation committee is made up of one citizen from each of the city”s seven wards. City Engineer Edward Kemp serves in an advisory capacity and Ward 5 Alderman Jeremiah Dumas is the board”s liaison to the committee.
“I think it”s really important for the public to be involved with this process because, personally, I think sidewalks are paramount for any community,” Dumas said. “It”s important for the public to be educated about what went into this (ordinance) and how we got to where we are. They”ve had ample opportunity in board meetings to do that, but not a whole lot has been talked about on the negative side. Hopefully this process will be able to show both sides and allow the public to give feedback.”
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