VIDEO: Stiefel seeks solution regarding Rainsville crossroads

VIDEO: Stiefel seeks solution regarding Rainsville crossroads

PHOTO: At last night's council meeting, Councilman Marshall Stiefel suggested a committee to address the concerns of Rainsville Citizens regarding the current road project in Rainsville at the crossroads. (File Photo)

By Marla Jones, Reporter

marla@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala.— (Full Video at the Bottom) At the regularly scheduled Rainsville City Council meeting on Monday night, Council member Marshall Stiefel recommended a three person committee of himself, Council member and Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) project manager Bejan Taheri, and Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt to be formed to address the concerns of Rainsville citizens regarding the current road projects in Rainsville.  

Stiefel stated that several citizens had approached him about the city pushing back against the state on their proposal to install access control curbing at the intersection of Alabama Highways 35 and 75.  After some discussion with Council member Derek Rosson, the motion died due to a lack of a second.  Stiefel stated after the meeting that he will, “continue to pursue options to convince ALDOT that the local folks do not want these controlled access curbs.”

Stiefel also addressed the council regarding the new guidelines that the Mayor has implemented due to safety concerns for all residents who wish to address the Council.  Stiefel provided a letter that was hand delivered to Mrs. Sonjia Pittman denying her request to speak to council regarding road paving on Maple Avenue because she failed to check a box on the form that she will stand at an affixed podium.  Stiefel stated, “I think it is ridiculous to tell a citizen coming in here to address us about a problem that he or she has to stand in a certain place in order to talk to us.  We work for the people of this town - not the other way around.  It seems like we want them to come kiss our rings.”

In other business:

  • Mayor Lingerfelt addressed the Council regarding the cost of re-plumbing the pumping station at the Stiefel house for $1,360.00
  • Rosson brought a bid of $1,143.77 to repair the thermal imagine camera for the fire department.
  • A motion was made and seconded to put out bids for a stage and pavilion for the Rainsville Sports Complex.  It was announced that the Rainsville Freedom Fest will be located at the complex in the future.

The next regular council meeting will be held on December 4, 2017.

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