Family, friends and neighbors: thanks so much for the tips and help that you offer to MySaline. If you ever have something to tell us, email [email protected]. Even my own mother uses the preferred channel of communication. She attended a meeting on Saturday, March 2nd, held by the City of Bryant and noted the following items for those who couldn’t make it (including me). -Shelli
By Thelma Poole
Bryant Mayor Allen Scott has been holding “Coffee with the Mayor” events the first Saturday morning of the month at 9 a.m. There were probably in excess of 50 persons present. Donuts were offered one month, but on this past Saturday, it was at Sugar Dumplin’s Cupcakes in their side meeting room. I didn’t know she made cinnamon rolls but that is what we were offered, and there is always good hot coffee.
The main emphasis for this meeting had to do with the widening of State Highway 5 through Bryant, from Alcoa Road to Reynolds Road. The major intersections will have some work done to widen the cross streets a little ways around the corners. Springhill will be widened farther down the street than others. For those curious, it was mentioned that there would be no roundabouts. It’s in the plans to create a median at Collegeville Elementary due to a request from the school to facilitate student crossing. There will also be a flashing light at the school. See images below to show the plans. To zoom in, click the image.
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- Easternmost Part 4
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- Typical Section Elevation
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- Map Legend
Since we have many restaurants and retailers along Highway 5, we need to keep coming to these businesses even during construction. Don’t desert them just because the it is inconvenient to get in and out. Look for whatever back-door or side lot entrances may have been created in order to make a path into their parking lots. Businesses are being encouraged to cooperate among themselves and connect to side parking lots of the next business.
Residents at the meeting asked good questions regarding their neighborhoods. We still have areas that need relief from flooding. Stoneybrook Dr./Monticello Dr. will be having drainage work done. School buses have made plans to route around the work to make sure kids get picked up. Someone from Stivers said their house floods from even light rains due to the road having too many layers of asphalt. The road department manager said that they could probably remove some of those layers without having to find additional funds like some projects need. When there is an area with flooding problems, they always have to start addressing the problem downstream first, so the water can flow out of all areas.
One neighbor mentioned the youth detention center and the recent breakouts. Another neighbor said that there is an new warning system and to call Alexander Youth Services Center and/or Bryant City Hall if you are having problems. The policemen who were present urged us all to notify them through 911 if we notice anything that is out of the place or people in your neighborhood that you wonder about. The Jessica Scott who owns Sugar Dumplin’s agreed that they do check out calls. She bakes at night and takes trash to the dumpster by Highway 5. The police has checked on them at 2 a.m. more than once. It is okay to call with suspicious activity.
People on Commonwealth and adjoining streets and also on Stillman Loop complained that motorists drive way too fast through their neighborhoods. You may expect to get a ticket in those areas if you continue doing so. There will be traffic units watching. We should always respect the speed limits where people live and play.
Many residents are concerned at the need for a red light on Highway 5 at Bryant Parkway. You wouldn’t believe how much has to be done to get the approval from the authorities (outside the Bryant city level). It will take some time and a LOT of money. But, it is in the works. There will also be a red light on 183 at Farm Hill Elementary and the new junior high school, hopefully by the time fall semester begins.
One really good tool the city has for all of us on www.cityofbryant.com is the “Report a Concern” feature. Look on the home page for a picture of orange cones. Click on that and tell the city what problems you have seen that they need to know about. They will assign a work order for that problem and get it fixed as soon as possible. I have used it twice. Things happened that day or in a few days. Some things take a little longer than others.
Mayor Scott also talked about picking up yard clippings in April. Keep them out of the street. Don’t block the mail boxes. With some exception, yard waste can be taken to the landfill on West Sardis Road for free. You can deposit up to four tires per month for free. You can go to Recycle Saline, 114 W Sevier Street in Benton to purchase two landfill per year for other trash that you want to discard. If you don’t have the ticket, it will cost you at least $40 for a pickup load. Get more details on the coupons here: http://www.recyclesaline.org/faq/24
Other than hearing about, and speaking about local concerns and solutions, this monthly meeting is a great place to meet your neighbors. I have met neighbors through the Nextdoor website and one in particular that I wanted to meet was at the event. When she handed me her business card with a picture of a Border Collie on it, I was reminded that she does beautiful watercolor paintings of pets. Join the meeting in April, the first Saturday of the month. Look for details to show up on the Events Page on MySaline.
Another meeting you can attend to see what your community is doing, is the Legislative Breakfast. The next one is Friday, March 8 at Saline Memorial Hospital’s meeting room. The state legislators representing Saline County will speak about bills in the House and Senate. If there is anything you would like to ask your legislator, or if you just want to stay informed, be there. See more details on this event at www.mysaline.com/leg-am-2019.