Texting while driving illegal in Roanoke
The Roanoke City Council voted unanimously at its Monday meeting to outlaw some use of electronic devices while driving.
They passed ordinance 839 prohibiting electronic messaging or text messaging while driving.
The ordinance said the devices have assisted in quick reporting of road emergencies but have also contributed to accidents and other mishaps, endangering citizens. When motorists hold the wireless communications device in their hand or hands to read, compose, and/or send the message while attempting to drive their chances of being involved in a traffic accident increases.
Mayor Mike Fisher said the ordinance will go into effect April 1. The fine upon first offense will be not more than $50 or by imprisonment for 10 days but the fines and jail time escalate on subsequent offenses up to not more than $500 or imprisonment of not more than three months.
An expected discussion of an ordinance to outlaw smoking on city owned property was tabled.
Audit ready
The mayor said CPA David Denton had finished the city’s audit and had asked to give his report. The council agreed to meet at 5 p.m. on March 8 to receive the report. The mayor said Denton had given him no information but he believes it will be a good report.
Fisher praised Keith Richardson for his monthly report on maintenance work, telling him he appreciated the good work. Councilman Mack Arthur Bell also praised Richardson for his work.
The mayor said the applications for bids for maintaining the two city cemeteries have gone out.
The council agreed to sell the old Mary Waldrep lot on East Avenue, which has already been declared surplus property. The lot was cleared of the house and set for auction but nobody showed up to bid. Sealed bids will now be accepted for the property and the best bid will be accepted. However, if the bid is too low it can be declined.
Councilman Russ Cummings said he had been contacted about a drainage problem at 216 Franklin Road that the homeowner said was caused by the city. Streets supervisor Donnie Cash said he would check it out.
Cummings also asked for an update on the building downtown that fell in. Fire Chief Ron Cameron said he had talked to the state fire marshal from this area, who said he would talk to his boss, but action against the owner is hard to pursue if the city has not adopted building codes.
Bell said the last administration talked about fire and building codes and although he knows it is a hard pill to swallow he believes the city will eventually have to adopt the codes.
Cummings said the last day for sign-up for Little League is Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
Police Chief Adam Melton asked everyone to keep the Chattahoochee Hills Police Department and Carroll County County Sheriff’s Department in their thoughts and prayers. Police officer Mike Vogt, 60, died last week after being shot. Deputy David Crawford was killed in a traffic accident while working during the recent bad weather involving snow and ice.
Purchasing Agent Tim Jacobs said he had a good report about the used Bush Hog selling on gov.deals for $5,600.
Melton said all the new police cars had arrived and he had talked to the Department of Agriculture that day. They will meet March 3 at 11 a.m. at city hall to close on the grant/loan. Former Fire Chief Bill Ford said the fire department will close on its new equipment at the same time.
Fire Chief Ron Cameron said they have responded to several grass fires during these nice days when people have been working outside. People need to be cautious when burning. Ford noted the extreme cold weather has really killed the grass, making it flammable.
As chairman of the utilities board, Cameron reported that the utilities department is trying to keep its head above water financially and had to make some tough decisions lately.
He said those interested in the vacant general manager position can find required qualifications by entering roanoke utilities board into the computer and scrolling down the left to general manager needed.
