Rockmart woman: We need guard rail
A Rockmart woman is hoping the City Council can help fix an ongoing problem of her home becoming the target of speeding vehicles leaving the roadway.
Tammie Tucker was one delegate who had a specific request for the council, since she lives in a home that has on several occasions in the past been hit by cars. She has asked the city to place a guard rail in front of her home to prevent further damage.
Tucker told the council that she is tired of pouring money into home repairs, and wants the guard rail be placed on the west side of Goodyear Avenue to stop the frequent car wrecks and repairs that have become an all too common occurrence.
“I moved i nto t hat house in 2001,” Tucker explained. “My house and my property has been damaged six times by cars,” she said.
“I want to see if a guard rail can be put up coming from 278 down Goodyear Avenue on the west side.
“My fence has been hit twice — it happened last year in October. My mailbox has been knocked down three times — the latest: Oct. 6, 2017.”
The street in front of Tucker’s house sports a 35 mph speed limit, but with limited visibility, speeders are prone to bumping heads with the woman’s property.
“The speed limit is 35, but I doubt anyone does 35, and there’s nothing to stop the cars. The gentlemen who hit my fence, he fell asleep. I wasn’t aware what happened, and I let my dogs out. I was very upset,” Tucker said.
“I would really like for the city to help protect my property because I’m forking out money out of my pocket.
Mayor Stephen Miller promised to look into the issue and see how the city could help.
“We will take this under advisement this evening. We can look at what has happened damage wise and see if there’s something we can do,” Miller explained. “As for a guard rail- we’ll have to see. I don’t know what the city can do yet.”
Miller promised a written response to Tucker before she left the meeting.
The council considered other resolutions. They agreed to advertise a hearing for a conditional use request for Fast Trac Carwash 3, LLC that wants to use Lot 12 of the Euharlee Crossing. The hearing will be held at a future meeting, and those who oppose or approve the request are entitled to share their thoughts at the meeting.
If no objections are raised in the coming months, it will be the third business to open on Rockmart Highway in the past months, and join Chick-filA and Martin’s restaurant as the latest to build along the access road.
The council officiall y added t heir membership to a Fund of Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency — Firefighters Lump Sum Cancer Benefit. The Georgia legislature previously mandated legally organized fire departments provide certain cancer benefits to their firefighters. The Polk County Commission voted to add their funds in the past weeks as well.
The legislature demands coverage be implemented by Jan. 1, 2018, and Rockmart’s membership means local firefighters are receiving additional cancer benefits such as a maximum limit of $6,250 per diagnosis of less severe cancers and a maximum limit of $25,000 per diagnosis of severe cancers.
The council also ap- proved a resolution to show their support for House Bill 158, which is legislation coming before the state house and senate this year authorizing a pair of locations to be setup as casino resorts, and to establish a gaming commission to oversee the potential new industry in Georgia.
The meeting ended with council members giving reports and insights into the daily happenings of the city. With a successful year in general, council members applauded each other for a job well done.
“I would just like to compliment the city staff for a fine job,” council member Lucile Harris said. “This year and every year, and I’m looking forward to the holiday season.”
“I would like to congrat- ulate the city for the Fall festival,” council member Sherman Ross said. “It was a great day. The weather was perfect, lots of people came by. The decorations were just awesome.”
Hundreds took part in the third annual festival in late October, the final event of the year at Seaborn Jones Park.
The final big event for the city is coming up with the annual Rockmart Christmas Parade being held on Friday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. along downtown streets, ending on South Marble Street with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree by Santa Claus.
The Rockmart council meets on the second Tuesday of each month at city hall, 214 N. Piedmont Ave.