ENFORCEMENT

Councilor Amy Valentine (D-Ward 5) said she was concerned about how much it would cost to convert the road and how it would be enforced.

Lt. Scott Beebie of the Police Department said that typically when a road direction is changed, police assign one car each shift to look out for that area. Motorists are usually warned the first week or two to educate them of the change, then ticketed if problems continue.

City Engineer Kevin Farrington said re-striping the road would not pose a problem.

SLOW FIRE TRUCKS

Councilor Timothy Carpenter (D-Ward 1) wanted to know if emergency vehicles would be hampered by one-way traffic.

Fire Chief Paul Williams said it would slow down response time somewhat, depending on where the emergency was.

"We can go against the traffic patterns with lights and sirens on, but if there is an accident we are responsible," Williams said.

Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem James Calnon (I-Ward 4), who was chairing Thursday's meeting in the absence of Mayor Donald Kasprzak, who was out of town, noted that few accidents occur on the oval.

"If it is safe already, then why change it?" he said.

The council is expected to vote on the proposed change next week.

Councilor Michael Kelly (D-Ward 2), who represents the oval area, said he supports the residents' request because it will make the city better not only now but in the future.

"This is a good idea, and it is not going to go away, so I think we should do it now and take credit for it."

jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com