Road Closure, Consolidation Top Meeting Topics

(posted 9.30.09)

Jay Coffman and Helen Kellam are not giving up the cause to stop the closure of Georgetown Road from 16th Street to 25th Street.

Coffman and Kellam attended State Representative Phil Hinkle's town hall meeting on September 24 to see if things could be changed from a legislative position. Coffman urged Holt Road to link into Georgetown Road so the westside could have a corridor linking 86th Street to Kentucky Avenue.

Kellam requested Hinkle look into creating a referendum to let the voters decide if the road should remain open.

In May 2008 The Speedway Navigator asked the Department of Public Works if a temporary road closure would show how the traffic impact would effect neighborhoods. The DPW agreed that a two week closure in late August would be feasible.

By August 2008, the DPW changed its position. DPW PIO Kit Werbe said "Following the May 27th e-mail, further consideration was given to define the costs and benefits of a temporary road closure."

A 2008 traffic impact study ( report - appendix ) was conducted and completed by American Structurepoint. Coffman challenged the report's accuracy. He contended the study does not account for all of the traffic being diverted from Georgetown Road.

Hinkle said he would get back with Kellam about the proposed referendum.

Hinkle told his constituents that there have been discussions in the Governor's office about library consolidation, but he intended to fight it. He thought it was important for taxpayers to choose whether or not they want to fund their own local library, and that consolidation should not be an issue to help the county's library expand its tax base because of its budget issues. Hinkle does not expect elimination of township government to occur this year, especially if State Representative Bill Crawford's "sentiment" remains the same from last session.

Hinkle emphasized the General Assembly's theme this year is "to do no harm." He said that a property tax cap would have to be on the ballot in 2010 and 2012 if it is to become a constitutional amendment. He doubted if redistricting would occur this year. He noted that state legislature also determines the US congressional boundaries.