“How Many More Lives Do We Have To Lose?”

Commission Discusses Train Safety

BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER
HGOLDFINGER@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY —
EAMC Director Rita Smith welcomed a representative from Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to speak to the Lee County Commission Monday night about train safety.
Sgt. Jeremy Burkett presented “Operation Clear Track” to the commission.
“As y’all know, last Monday, we had a train accident here in Lee County, in the Loachapoka community, that did result in a fatality, and ironically, the very same day, ALEA had begun their Operation Clear Track initiative,” Smith said.
“Operation Clear Track” is a campaign to raise awareness about motorist safety involving trains.
“We actually send troopers to railroad crossings, and typically what we do, we’ll try to target areas that we’ve seen accidents in,” Burkett said.
Troopers then pass out safety information cards, talk to motorists and promote safety.
While many may think that all train accidents are due to someone trying to outrun a train, in many cases it’s due to not knowing a track is coming up, a track not having barriers, etc., Burkett said.
District 5 Commissioner Richard LaGrand asked how the county could go about getting speed limits for trains lowered. District 3 Commissioner Gary Long said that in the past when he has inquired about it, he was told that trains are federally protected and will not slow down.
“I get the fact that they’re federally protected, but how many more lives do we have to lose?” LaGrand asked.
OTHER BUSINESS

• The commission heard a funding request for EAMC for a new free-standing psychiatric clinic.
• The commission heard concerns from residents of the OakCreek Subdivision on its dirt road and discussed the possibility of paving dirt roads.
• The commission approved a list of insolvents to the business licensing agencies per Act 2021-452.
• The commission approved educational reimbursement requests for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
• The commission approved the results of Bid No. 2023-13 for 40 or more Glock 9mm handguns.
  -The commission approved a liquor license request from B&B Beverage Management for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
• The commission approved maintenance bids for fiscal year 2023-24.
• The commission approved the budget for the fiscal year.
• The commission approved a speed limit reduction for Lee Road 202.
• The commission approved a speed limit reduction for Lee Road 64.
• The commission amended its Lee County Substance Abuse Policy.
• The commission approved the Safety Incentive Discount Program Verification form.
• The commission approved the benefits fair funding request.
  The Lee County Commission meetings are held the second and last Monday nights of every month unless otherwise noted. The next scheduled meeting will be Oct. 9 at 5 p.m.