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Letters to the Editor
(Posted Aug. 4, 2010)
West Jeff streets look neglected
I’m wondering if anyone else has noticed the condition of the Village of West Jefferson. Several months ago, the mayor announced he was hiring a street superintendent while already having three employees in the Street Department, one of them designated as crew chief. His stated reason was that “the work was not being done.”
Now, if you drive around town you see weeds, some knee high, growing along the curbs, gutters and sidewalks. Frey Avenue is a good example. Then, there is trash in the same type of locations. North Hampton Street is a good example.
The one-way street sign at the intersection of Fellows Avenue and West Street is completely bent over and has been that way for some time. The stop sign at the intersection of Jones and South Chester streets is leaning back.
The railroad viaducts at Depot and Jackson streets are full of trash. A junk lawn mower on Pennsylvania Avenue sat there for over a week before it was picked up. There are still potholes in town that need to be filled and summer is almost over.
Weeds need to be sprayed, especially those growing between the bricks along Main Street. The downtown benches look terrible, needing repairs or paint. The planter in front of Village Hall has a huge crack in it.
It has been stated that things have not been done because one street worker is on sick leave and another on vacation. I personally know that several times during the past years that for different reasons, there were only two street workers on duty, and the job got done. We currently have two working the street department and, up until three weeks ago, there were three. A lot of taxpayers’ money is being spent in the Street Department, and we are not getting our money’s worth.
Keith Williams
West Jefferson
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LeBeau’s early days
I was fortunate to know Dick LeBeau (referring to last week’s Madison Messenger story on the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee). We grew up in the same neighborhood. I remember us throwing footballs in the side yard of the post office.
I remember watching him play high school football. He was so popular that they had to put up a tarp around the football field so fans wouldn’t stand in the street to watch the game.
He is not only was a great player, coach and mentor, but is also a gentleman. Dick, thanks for the memories.
Jerry Peters
New Albany
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Vote for Armory
Great article! (referring to last week’s Madison Messenger article on the Madison Area Youth Center’s quest for votes in the Pepsi Refresh grant challenge).
I have one comment to add. These funds would get so many kids off the streets and realizing dreams they never thought possible. It takes a village to raise a child!
To learn more about the project and sign up to vote, go online to http://pep.si/bk0rsq.
Twyla McNamara
London
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Glad to see a 5K run at Choctaw
It’s great to see that someone is holding an annual race at Choctaw Lake to benefit a great cause (regarding last week’s Madison Messenger article on Run For Hope, a 5K set for Aug. 21 to benefit the American Cancer Society.)
I was able to hold the very first 5K run at Choctaw Lake in 1986 to benefit Easter Seals. Dr. Jack Starr took the idea the following year and held a biathlon to benefit Hospice. Keep up the good work.
David Matthews
Columbus
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