Louisa City Council Woman Lester says she would like to see speed humps on all city streets

By Roberta Cantrell

BSN Editor

Louisa Council woman Rose Lester handed out paperwork to the council during their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 11 that contained research she had been doing on getting speed “humps” on the street she lives on being Lady Washington Street. Lester said her only interest in getting them was because some people who also live on that street want them.

Mayor Harold Slone attempted to explain to Lester that for every person that wanted them put on the street there would be at least two that would be upset because they were installed.

“It would also become a problem for street sweepers, emergency vehicles and snow plows, Mayor Slone said. “You would also have people calling wanting to know why they couldn’t get one on their street if council woman Lester was able to get them on her street. You might as well plan on getting them for every street in town.”

Lester fired back by saying “that’s fine with me!”

Louisa City Mayor Eldred “Bud” Adams said according to the opinion of the Attorney General, he had to have speed bumps removed in the city limits in the area of Meadowbrook, so he wasn’t sure what the difference in the speed bumps or speed humps would be in a legal perspective.

Lester was asked by an audience member what would happen if they got the speed bumps on her street and people who also lived on it complained in which she replied “well tough” we have to make tough decisions and this one is for the safety of our children.

In apparent disagreement, other members of the council thought a better option which would be to paint stripes on the streets to bring attention to the stop signs. Councilman Cody Rowe said if the speed humps are installed it will run into problems with people saying they tore up the suspension in their vehicles. “This has happened in the past,” said Rowe.

However, Lester, appearing adamant, enquired if she could buy a speed hump herself and have it installed on the city street which then posed the questions of the legalities of her being allowed to have something installed on a public street and who would be responsible for car damage it may cause.

Also, during the meeting, the council heard and approved the second readings Ordinances of the City of Louisa budget, City Employee Compensation, Louisa Utility Budget and Utility Employees Compensation.

Louisa City Council has also named their new city clerk as Bridget James who is replacing long time clerk Kathy Music-Compton who retired earlier this year. James will be working alongside Rita Rose, assistant Louisa City Clerk.