WALTHALL —The request of a man that safety enhancements be made at a highway intersection his father drove through, resulting in injuries that led to his death, has been fulfilled.
Thomas Allen of Maben appeared before the Webster County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 5 concerning the matter. John Caldwell, Northern District transportation commissioner, and two assistants were also present along with Willy Weddle, field representative for Congressman Trent Kelly.
Allen said his father, 82-year-old Thomas Allen Sr. of West Point, was driving west on state Highway 50 during the first week of June when he crossed over Highway 15 and crashed into the woods on the other side of the intersection, which is in District 4 in Webster County. He broke his back and was in ICU 38 days before succumbing to his injuries on July 16, according to his son.
Numerous other accidents have occurred at the intersection, according to the discussion.
“We’re wanting to partner with MDOT to make safety upgrades to the intersection that may include little blinking light stop signs, advance warnings or rumble strips,” said Allen.
Allen said the Mississippi Department of Transportation could address specifics of the improvements, and that he wanted to make the board aware of his request. Allen said he had already been talking to Caldwell, who said a safety analysis would be conducted.
The Board of Supervisors, following Allen’s presentation and discussion, approved a motion that it agreed the intersection needed immediate attention for safety improvements and possible repairs. The motion was made by Paul Crowley (District 4) and seconded by Doug Burgess (District 5).
Other intersections in the area of the East Webster schools were also mentioned as being problem areas. Caldwell said he and his assistants would go look at all of the intersections after leaving the meeting.
MDOT has since installed two solar-powered lighted stop-ahead warning signs on Highway 50, one on each side, in advance of the intersection with Highway 15. These are into addition to rumble strips in place between the signs and the intersection.
Also on Sept. 5, Josh Alford introduced himself to the board. He is the new transportation director for the Webster County School and serves as director of the Career and Technology Center.
Other Meetings
Meeting minutes approved Sept. 5 show the Board of Supervisors handled these matters on the respective dates:
Aug. 14
The board continued work on the 2023-24 county budget during a recessed meeting on Aug. 14
Aug. 21
On Aug. 21, the board voted to enter into an order confirming and adopting the 2023 assessment roll as there were no objections of any nature filed or otherwise made.
The board also considered the renewal of contracts of Mike Sanders of Sanders & Associates Appraisal & Mapping Service.
“Mr. Sanders has worked for a number of years for the county assisting the tax assessor in the assessment for ad valorem tax purposes,” the minutes state. “In addition, Mr. Sanders or his business assist the tax assessor in preparation of the tax roll.”
The board adopted a motion to renew the firm’s contract through Dec. 31, 2026, and to authorize the president, clerk and tax assessor to sign these contracts on behalf of the county: Appraisal Update Contract for Real Property ($220,000), Appraisal Maintenance Contract for Personal Property ($36,000) and Mapping Maintenance Contract ($82,000).
Minutes note that on July 31, the board received bids on 2023 road improvements. The board received five bids and took all of them under advisement. On Aug. 21, the board voted to accept the low bid of Mississippi Paving and Construction in the amount of $191,775 as recommended by County Engineer Karl Grubb.
The board voted to maintain the drives at 1275 VFW Road, 1778 Vickers/Double Springs Church Road and 2080 Abbott Road as school bus turnarounds. The addresses had been approved by the School Board.
Supervisors also approved a 20-acre 16th Section lease to William C. Lott for 10 years expiring Dec. 12, 2032.
Aug. 25
On Aug. 25, records show the board continued work on the 2023-24 county budget. Supervisors approved these motions:
• to advertise the budget hearing that was held Sept. 11.
• to pay the Webster County School District an additional railcar tax amount of $4,970.63 and additional privilege tax in the amount of $936.13 for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2022.
• to transfer eight radios from the sheriff’s inventory to Fire Services.
Aug. 31
Aug. 31 meeting minutes show the board approved a motion regarding the position of circuit clerk.
Then-Circuit Clerk Sherry Henderson did not seek another term in this year’s elections. Wanda Robinson, who was a deputy circuit clerk, ran unopposed in the Republican primary for circuit clerk and is without opposition in the general election. Therefore, she was scheduled to take office in January.
Henderson submitted a letter on June 19 stating she was retiring June 30. Because of another deputy circuit clerk being on maternity leave, Henderson was going to stay on as clerk until Aug. 31 working at quarter pay of her office salary. As of Aug. 31, the minutes note she retired for good.
The board voted to declare that there is a vacancy in the office of the circuit clerk, to appoint Clerk-Elect Robinson to fill Henderson’s unexpired term and to have Robinson sworn in that day to fill the vacancy.
In related business Sept. 5, the board voted to increase the salary of Deputy Circuit Clerk Nicole Hernandez to $2,375 a month, effective Sept. 1.
The motion included hiring Henderson as a part-time deputy circuit clerk, to work no more than 80 hours a month as needed. Her rate of pay will be $12.50 an hour. All this was requested by Robinson in a letter dated Sept. 1.
Purchase Clerk Kay Embry addressed the board on Aug. 31 concerning the purchase of radios. The board also approved the claims docket for the month.
