New rule requires pedetrians to use Hwy. 259 overhead crossing
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

Kilgore College students - and others - are now required to use the overhead pedestrian crossing instead of crossing US Highway 259 in traffic.

In a conversation with Bill Holda, KC president, Ronnie Moore, Kilgore director of public safety, learned that there had been several 'near misses' involving KC students crossing US Highway 259 in traffic, instead of using the overhead pedestrian crossing.

"I researched the traffic code," Moore told city council last night. "The code does not force use of the crosswalk, but does allow the city to govern its use."

Kilgore Police Department and Kilgore College Police can enforce the new ordinance - No. 1373.

Violation of Ordinance 1373 is a class-A misdemeanor and punishable by fine, up to $200.

Council denied a request from the college - Texas Shakespeare Festival - for a special hotel/motel occupancy tax allocation of $10,000 for scholarships for an acting and stage combat workshop, held during the Shakespeare Festival.

Janice Hancock, mayor pro tem, said she does not have a problem with making the allocation but she would rather see council consider the allocation as a budgeted expenditure, since the city has other unexpected expenses - hail damage to derrick lights and the roof on the pool house - that may have to be addressed this budget year.

Council also decided that the Roy H. Laird Memorial Hospital Foundation board of regents should maintain its nine members.

Four new members were appointed last night: Bobby Bittick, Janie Dickerson and Mike Wilcox, all for three-year terms; and Tom Brown to take up the position vacated by Roland Velvin.

In other business, council decided to delay issuing certificates of obligation for up to six weeks, until firm figures concerning construction of the Chandler Street progress are in place. Options were to table discussion or scrap the plan and any progress made. Tabling the decision costs the city nothing, but a decision must be made by June 24.

Issuance of the proposed bond is for improvements on Chandler Street, between Dudley Road and Woodlawn Street, that include a three-lane layout with a continuous-left-turn lane and turning lanes at some intersections.

Council agreed to pay $382,125 to KSA Engineering, of Longview, in connection with the Chandler Street improvements.

The next meeting of Kilgore City Council is Tuesday, May 27 at Kilgore City Hall in Council Chambers.