By Marilyn Miller

Everything from flashing warning signs to dropping the speed limits was discussed as a means of increasing safety at the approaches to the traffic lights at the intersection of La. Hwy. 80 and La. Hwy. 371N on Tuesday, July 14 by the Dixie Inn Board of Aldermen.

Alderman Lance Milligan said that he has been in talks with Brandon Grecco of the La. Dept. of Transportation & Development regarding the installation of “Dangerous Intersection” signs at the crossroads but was told that the DOTD no longer installs “Danger” signs on Louisiana roadways.

Milligan was told that DOTD can install amber flashing solar lights on speed signs, but a speed study must be performed first, and then DOTD must install them.

“It’s not anything that will help overnight,” Milligan said. “And I don’t know if a sign is going to fix it.”

Dixie Inn Police Chief Jeffrey McNeill concurred, stating that speed enforcement is a better option, with the speed limits lowered. “Right now, we are just monitoring the high points,” the chief said. He added that he really would like a speed study performed, especially at the eastbound approach where the speed limit drops from 50 to 35. “It drops to 35 too late…it really should drop at the city limits or at least Antioch Baptist.”

Milligan agreed, noting that a trailer park, apartment buildings, and businesses in the area are factors in justifying a lower limit. The board will discuss the matter further next month.

Animal control issues have reared their ugly, and expensive, heads over the past few months. Warmer temperatures have led to an increase in the populations of untagged cats and dogs. Milligan asked whether or not the village could afford a part-time animal control officer. “Since that falls under my department, I’ll tell you there’s not enough hours in the day (to do the job in-house),” Chief McNeill replied. However, if a part-time person could be found to collect untagged animals, he could make a chart of how many are picked up and then check it against the veterinarian’s records.

Milligan and the chief are going to talk to other municipalities in south Webster Parish to see how they handle the problem.

Mayor Donna Hoffoss introduced Ordinance #137, pertaining to the adoption of an ABO (servers of legal alcoholic beverages) program in Dixie Inn. All handlers of alcohol within the village limits will be required to carry the cards once the ordinance is adopted.

In other business, the board:

• Unanimously approved a “Back-to-School Bash” for Saturday, Aug. 1 from 2-5 p.m. at the eastern Dixie Inn Park. Last year’s park opening and Back-to-School Bash attracted over 600 people;
• Unanimously approved declaring the 2014 Tahoe surplus and donating it (loaded) to the Dubberly Police Dept.;
• Unanimously approved allowing VDCI (Vector Disease Control International) of Ruston to perform a one-time mosquito control treatment to determine how much chemical would be needed to cover Dixie Inn, and its cost. “I’m proposing one free treatment to look into it,” alderman Milligan said. “…Especially since we are surrounded by water,” alderman Judy McKenzie concurred.
• Approved the minutes of the June Regular Session;
• Approved the June Financial Statements.

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