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County Commission Fails to Entertain Motion for Speed Humps on Harney Street

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County Commission Fails to Entertain Motion for Speed Humps on Harney Street

by James Coulter

 

Speed humps will not be installed on a nearly 600-foot-long road near Bartow, as county commissioners failed to entertain a motion during a public hearing.

 

During a recent meeting on Tues. July 15, Polk County commissioners reviewed a resolution that would have approved the installation of two traffic calming devices on Harney Street. The installation of these devices would have cost an estimated $10,000.

 

County staff had conducted studies on the road, located in the Bartow area, following a request from a resident to install traffic calming devices.

 

The studies “determined that the roadway met the Policy criteria based on traffic speed and volume,” according to Jay M. Jarvis, P.E., Roads & Drainage Division Director.

 

Two residents, each with opposing opinions on the matter, expressed their concerns during public comments.

 

One resident, Charles Sticks, spoke in favor of the speed humps. Every day, he sees cars speeding down the road at nearly 70 mph. He especially fears for the safety of children who travel on three school buses twice a day.

 

“I am waiting to see someone smashed. We need speed bumps,” he said. “They [speeding cars] are endangering the safety of our children and grandchildren, and I do not like it.”

 

Another resident, Robin Barnes, agreed with him about the problem but disagreed that speed humps were the solution. She claimed the humps could potentially damage vehicles, including her own.

 

Barnes also mentioned her elderly aunt and uncle, who rarely leave the house except for doctor visits due to their condition.

 

“If my aunt and uncle were to have an emergency, and they had to go over there [those speed humps], it would cause her more distress,” she said.

 

Commissioner Bill Braswell balked at the idea of spending $10,000 on speed humps for a road that is less than 600 feet long. He claimed it would be a potential waste of taxpayer money.

 

“This is a dead-end street,” he said. “I don’t think speed bumps on 600 feet of road make much sense to me.”

 

Two motions were made: one to install both speed humps, and the other to install only one. Both motions failed to receive a second.

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