Camp Hill asks commission for help with roads

By Dale Liesch | Dadeville Record

Published Wednesday, August 13, 2008

The Tallapoosa County Commission listened to concerns about local roads during the regular meeting on Monday.

Camp Hill Mayor Sam Ellis, Councilman Gordon Keel and resident Jessie Sims all addressed the problem of roads in the town and asked the commission for assistance for whatever help they could give.

Sims said she understands there are budgetary constraints all over the place but Camp Hill needs some assistance if at all possible.

“When your budgeting sometime think of us if you have something to offer,” said Simms. “We’ve have been left in an awful predicament. We are here to ask you to help anyway you can on our roads.”

County Engineer David Moore said the highway department needs money and have been hurt by the gas tax, which is based on consumption and not price.

“Funding for the department has been limited,” said Moore. “We’ve looked at cutting back costs and its being felt on county roads as well. The county is letting the individual cities work on their roads at this time.”

Commissioner Frank Tapley introduced a project to widen the intersection at State Highway 49 and Oliver Road in order to help Dylan Oliver with his chicken business and make it wide enough for him to move trucks in and out. The proposed project would cost $11,662, according to Tapley.

“If we don’t do this we are going to shut down his business,” Tapley said. “If we’re going to promote business here we need to do this.”

Commissioner Johnny Allen suggested the proposal be tabled until representatives from the commission could speak with the Alabama Department of Transportation.

“We have cities in the county in need of money for roads,” Allen said. “It doesn’t make good sense to throw $12,000 at a project like this. This is the state’s responsibility.”

In other business, the commission approved posting a speed limit sign at 15 mph on Zion Street. The commission purchased 4 new dump trucks and truck tractors. The commission approved a digital information cooperative agreement with ALDOT.