The Mayor’s Corner 10/21/2024

Last weekend Cathy and I had the pleasure of once again having our grandsons spend the night. Due to some health issues on my part, we had been unable to spend time with them for several weeks there, the same several weeks that I did not write for this paper.
The evening had started out as a family Paint and Sip and then turned into an impromptu overnight stay.
It is amazing the difference in their interests in just a short amount of time. The older one is no longer as interested in toys and more interested in activities and spending time together one on one. The younger one is interested in art and in learning everything.
Don’t get me wrong. Even though the activities were not as physical, Cathy and I were still exhausted when the boys left. The great thing is it is such a delicious and satisfying sort of exhaustion.
Well, on to City business.
Ron McDaniel, the Street Department Manager, would like you to know that the Street Crew is starting the fall alley cleanup starting on the east side of town. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this service, the City will assist you with disposing of your yard waste each fall. All you need to do is pile grass clippings, shrub clippings, etc. in the alley behind your home and out of the way of alley traffic (particularly garbage trucks.) The City crew will then come through and pick up and dispose of this waste free of charge.
The alley cleanup is one of several free services the City offers that most towns do not. So, now is the time to make sure that your yard is in good order for winter and all the trimmings are ready to haul away. Ron and his crew are ready and willing to help.
Also, Lonnie Chambers, the Wastewater Department Manager, wanted me to let you know that the work taking place on Commercial Street between State Street and East 1st Street is not the road reconstruction that I mentioned in last week’s article.
You see, there is a broken sewer main down there. Fortunately, this break happened before the Commercial Street rehabilitation project got started. Otherwise, we would have been tearing up brand new pavement to fix a problem later.
This repair is expected to take two weeks and possibly three weeks to complete. The line is about fourteen feet down. While the old line is being removed and replaced, the material flowing through the line will be pumped and re-routed around the break. Due to the depth, all groundwork will be performed in a shell in the trench to hold back the sides to protect the workers from cave ins. While we are at it a very old manhole will be replaced. This is not a minor repair.
Traffic is being detoured around the project.
Lonnie would also like to ask if you are visiting the businesses along this section of Commercial Street to please stay back on the sidewalks and away from the open trench for your safety and the safety of the workers.
Well, that’s it for this week. I hope you enjoy getting your yard ready for winter. Myself, I don’t necessarily like the work, but I like how it looks afterwards. Have a great week!