Four new stop signs will be installed in Kilmichael to curb speeding.
Following a vote of the Kilmichael Board of Aldermen, stop signs will be placed at the intersections of Pecan and Jenkins drives, Ridge Road and Vine Street, Binford Avenue and Stone Street, and Binford Avenue and Kimberly and BB King drives.
Newly-appointed Police Chief Barry Gregg said he’ll likely only give out warnings initially while drivers get used to the new traffic controls, but that in the long run, he believes the new stop signs will make the roads much safer.
Aldermen, however remain concerned that there are additional locations that need to be addressed. Alderman Earnest Curtis said he’s concerned about speeding along Binford Avenue in front of the Kilmichael Community Center.
“I’m afraid someone going to get hurt there,” Curtis said, adding that he regularly sees cars go by at higher speeds than what is posted.
Aldermen noted that the biggest speeding problems occur on roads like Binford, which goes out to Highway 82, because drivers go from county to city limits and people aren’t paying attention.
“We also need something for South Depot Street. It runs like it’s Highway 51,” City Clerk Pauline Hall said. Deputy Clerk Claudette McClain agreed, stating city staff see drivers speed past city hall every day.
Gregg said Kilmichael cannot get a radar gun because of the town’s population.
Alderman Bryan Lott said some won’t understand that.
“You can’t please everyone,” Alderman Bernard Jenkins added.
In other business, Public Works Director Johnny Pearson told the board a new sidewalk will be installed in front of the Kilmichael Library, funded by a donation with Modern Woodmen.
Pearson said Matt Bennett of Modern Woodmen Financial asked if the sidewalk could be repaired if funding was available.
“I told Matt yeah. He got the funding and we’ll get the sidewalk done,” he said.
Pearson said Bennett was able to secure $1,500 for the project and work will begin soon. He said if any money remains after repairs are complete, the sidewalk will also be painted.
