Walnut Creek to maintain speed enforcement
By Barbara Arntsen
Published in News on October 28, 2004 1:59 PM
The Walnut Creek Village Council said Wednesday that it had no intentions of slacking off on the enforcement of speed limits.
The council's comments were in response to a concern voiced by a village resident who asked that the speed limits continue to be enforced.
Dr. Michael Gooden spoke to the council on behalf of the crime watch organization.
Gooden said that the police department had encountered difficulty with some residents who felt that they shouldn't be cited for speeding.
"It was even more troubling for me to learn that some have gone so far as to suggest that the only ones who should be stopped for violating the law are those who live outside of the village," Gooden said. "This suggests a double standard in the enforcement of the law and seems ridiculous."
He said that there was an arrogant attitude by some, who thought they were above the law.
"We are fortunate enough to live in a beautiful community," he said. "We have gentle, winding roadways which do not lend themselves to fast motor traffic."
The first time someone is caught speeding, the village police give the offender a warning ticket. The second time a citation is issued.
Gooden said that he and the block captains from Crime Watch thought that was a fair approach because it was corrective, not punitive.
He said they would like to see the traffic slowed down, for the sake of safety.
"I agree with Dr. Gooden entirely," said Councilman Danny Jackson. "I have the same philosophy."
*The village also received a good audit report for last year. Michael Jordan, accountant for the firm of Pittard, Perry & Crone, gave Walnut Creek a "clean, unqualified" opinion.
The village assets exceeded its liabilities at the close of the fiscal year by $5.2 million. There was also an ending fund balance of $992,069, almost $250,000 more than the prior year.
Property taxes increased by $100,000 due to revaluation and added construction.
*The village council also held a public hearing on its intention to annex and zone the property behind the dam. The former Suggs land was acquired by the county as part of the flood land and was transferred to Walnut Creek. The land is to be zoned open area. No one spoke at the hearing.
The board will not hold a November meeting, and its next meeting will be on Thursday, Dec. 2.