Mayor Wamp desires a “safety audit” on Snow Hill Road. Dr. Highlander squeals in glee. Talk about over-thinking the issue. If you ask 10 people who drive daily on Snow Hill Road, you will get the same 10 answers: Snow Hill Road is unsafe.
I’ve driven Snow Hill Road for over 15 years. I was second on the scene at a fatality heading home from VBS one summer evening. I don’t drive that curve without saying a prayer for that family.
And now I see a cross.
We all know Snow Hill Road is not safe.
We also know the solution: Stop approving the residential zoning for new subdivisions along Snow Hill Road until we solve the Snow Hill Road problem.
It’s ironic that over a year ago, on Aug. 2, 2023, Mayor Wamp and Dr. Steve had a solution for Snow Hill Road: stop the rezoning for 18 months until we fix Snow Hill Road. But for reasons unknown, Mayor Wamp and Dr. Steve pulled their resolution before the County Commission could vote.
Over a year and one fatality later, both Mayor Wamp and Commissioner Steve Highlander now want the taxpayers to pay for a “safety audit” that they have failed to support in the past.
And what is the cost of the Wamp/Highlander “Safety Audit”?
The taxpayers will find out their cost on Oct. 16, 2024, when the Hamilton County Commission will drop that lead balloon.
Why should the taxpayers pay for a “safety audit” when we already know the cause and solution? Aren’t we tired of talk, talk, talk?
Instead of wasting taxpayer money paying for this unnecessary “safety audit” the Hamilton County Commission should use that money to immediately install guardrails on the open stretches of Snow Hill Road.
After all, our politicians have waited for decades to solve this deadly problem. Dr. Highlander admitted on WRCB recently that Snow Hill Road has been dangerous for over 50 years. He admitted nothing has been done to improve the safety of Snow Hill Road for over 50 years.
Yet we are waiting once again for us to pay for a study to tell us what we already know: Snow Hill Road is unsafe and needs immediate action.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t handle seeing another cross.
C. Mark Warren