County leaders say disregard for barricades an issue

Dec. 31--County commissioners on Wednesday urged residents to be responsible behind the wheel when it comes to barricades and closed roads following the recent flooding.

During a commission work session Wednesday, District 2 Commissioner Steve Turner and District 3 Commissioner Jason Black both said drivers had moved -- and in some cases plowed through -- barricades on closed roads. Black said drivers had caused about $2,700 in damages to signs and barricades since Christmas Day.

"We have adults driving with children in the back seat, and they're not able to make their own decision," he said. "Parents need to be held responsible for going around barricades and causing more damage than we had to begin with."

Those additional damages include areas where shoulders, ditches and water lines were damaged by impatient drivers who didn't want to find alternate routes. Turner said the story was similar in East Limestone where drivers ran over barricades or pushed them out of the way. Both he and Black said it's not only dangerous for drivers and passengers, but also for any district employees working on roads.

"We're not putting these (barricades) out because we didn't have anything else to do," Turner said. "If people do drive around them, they're traveling at their own risk."

Drivers who ignore barricades also risk damaging their vehicles and paying out hefty deductibles for repairs. A State Farm spokesman said Wednesday that if a driver has a fully comprehensive policy, there is no clause stating repairs would not be covered because a driver went around a barricade.

"If a situation does come up where a car is flooded, as long as they have comprehensive coverage on their vehicle, their car should be taken care of after any deductible is paid," said Roszelle Gadson, spokesman for State Farm Insurance in Alabama. "We strongly discourage driving around barricades. Obviously, there are times when people have to get to their homes, so there may be some exceptions."

Some roads still closed

Even though waters have receded in most areas of Limestone County, three roads remained closed as of Wednesday morning: Holt Springer Road, from Gordon to Hardy roads; Old Highway 20, from Mooresville to Greenbrier roads; and Shaw Road, from Paradise Shores to Douglas Drive.

Commission Chairman Mark Yarbrough said he and the county's engineers have been in touch with the Alabama Department of Transportation to secure federal aid money to repair Shaw Road and Old Highway 20.

"As the water continues to recede, I think we'll find other issues that aren't as obvious," he said.

District 1 Commissioner Stanley Hill said road and bridge damage was not an issue in his district, and District 4 Commissioner Ben Harrison was absent from the work session.

County business

The commission took action on only one item Wednesday -- to hire Gary Carroll as network administrator in the county's Information Technology department, pending a drug and alcohol screening.

The County Commission will hold its next regular meeting at 10 a.m. Monday at the Clinton Street annex. County offices are closed today and Friday for the New Year's holiday.

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