A flashing light will adorn a four-way stop sign in Carlyle, one of the requests voiced by citizens at a recent community conversation.
Marcia Davis, director of community engagement for Thrive Allen County, spoke Tuesday to Allen County commissioners about a recent Thrive-sponsored get-together in Carlyle.
The tone was overwhelmingly positive, Davis reported, with residents pleased as punch at recent improvements around town.
New solar-powered street lights make it much easier to walk around town after dark, new street signs make it easier for emergency crews to find addresses, and the county has addressed many of the citizens’ concerns about road conditions, Davis said.
Mostly, residents praised Carlyle’s close-knit and quiet atmosphere.
“They’re very proud of their storm shelter, and they like being on the (Prairie Spirit) Rail Trail,” Davis said.
The tone was so positive that many of the 15 or so in the audience struggled to come up with areas that needed improvement, Davis said.
But after a bit more discussion, they came up with a few priorities for the coming year.
Water drainage, particularly along Texas Road, could be better, they said. Some trees need to be trimmed as well, and the town is looking at developing a playground area.
But the biggest priority is getting motorists to stop as they pass through town on Texas Road.
Far too many ignore the four-way stop sign, Davis reported.
Jeremy Hopkins, Allen County Road and Bridge director, and who attended the meeting, said the county already has the flashing light ordered for the stop sign.
Davis said the Allen County Sheriff’s Department also has been sent a request to step up patrols in and around Carlyle.
“It’s amazing what can get solved through conversation,” Davis concluded.
Thrive’s next community conversation is March 24 in LaHarpe.
A COUPLE OF road projects have caught Commissioner David Lee’s eye.
