Our View

Our View

So, speed bumps not working, huh?

It’s funny, if our memory serves us correctly wasn’t it about a little over a year ago when Marion’s powers that be were aware that national statistics showed that attempts to control speeders on residential streets by installing annoying speed bumps was ineffective?

Well, these community leaders thought at the time they knew better and told angry residents that installing speed bumps was the cure-all to their concerns. And, it wasn’t long after that brilliant deduction that low-and-behold the speed bumps started popping up.

How long has that been? A while now for sure, and now we hear, to no real surprise, residents on Miller Drive and very likely other areas where the annoying bumps are located, are back complaining speeders continue to race up and down their streets.

Marion crews installed two speed bumps on Miller Drive and even went so far as to put up stop signs at North George and South George, all at the request of one resident last year.

Mayor Frank Fogleman questioned the complaining resident if he had thought about calling the Marion police and was quickly informed that they had been called when speeders were present to no avail.

The frustrated resident told Mayor Fogleman, “I have, but I haven’t seen them there recently.”

Well, Fogleman’s only suggestion was stepped up law enforcement efforts and added that he was now reluctant to put up more speed bumps on the street.

Somewhat sarcastically Fogleman added, “I don’t really know what to offer you … short of putting a speed bump at every lot line where every house is.”

Not leaving well enough alone, Fogleman added the comment, “We can probably put in a speed bump that will accomplish what you want. But I think putting a speed bump that high and that wide will result in more people being unhappy.”

Marion speeders, beware, Mayor Fogleman now suggests his police chief to arm his men and women in blue to “be on the lookout” for these annoying motorists and make absolutely sure their ticket books are full of blank citations.

Fogleman has instructed his police chief to stop, detain and cite motorists who exceed the 25-mile-perhour speed limit on Marion’s residential streets.

Let’s look at it this way, with all these speeding tickets Marion police will be handing out, in possibly record numbers, look at all the extra revenue the city will be raking in.

Maybe moving Marion police off Highway 77, Airport Road, Highway 64 and the interstate service roads, and putting them in the miles of boring residential areas will not only cut down on people exceeding the 25-mile-per hour citywide residential speed limit, but also cut down on vehicles being broken into and residential burglaries and thefts. Only time will tell, and we’re sure Mayor Fogleman will hear loud and clear if this strategy works or not.

BIBLE VERSE

But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

6:49-56

Mark