Traffic light cameras becoming a state legislative issue on NWTNTODAY.COM

By DONNA RYDER Messenger Associate Editor It appears the Tennessee state legislature may take up the matter of red light cameras in the state. Union City Mayor Terry Hailey said the issue was brought up recently on the state level and he requested information on the ones located in the city from Police Chief Joe Garner. During Tuesday night’s Union City Council meeting, Garner said he believes it is a matter of equalization — setting a standard across the state to which the traffic light camera companies would have to adhere. He said it can be a money maker for several communities and mentioned a $1.2 million figure as an amount collected by the City of Knoxville. This is also something the state legislature is looking into, he said, adding Union City has collected about 25 percent of the tickets which have been issued. Garner said the number of tickets issued are starting to go down in the city and he has received “zero complaints” of trucks running the lights since the cameras were installed. Assistant Police Chief Perry Barfield told The Messenger today that 198 warnings were issued between May 15 and June 14, with 1,010 tickets issued between June 15 and Nov. 5. He said he recently received a phone call from the company asking if there was any road construction which would have affected the flow of traffic because they have seen a “tremendous drop” in the number of people running the red lights. Barfield said the cameras are doing exactly what they were meant to do — “change driver behavior.” He said when you change driver behavior in this manner, it increases safety on our roadways. After the meeting was opened in prayer by city attorney Jim Glasgow Jr., the council: nal reading an ordinance setting forth appropriations for the 2009-10 budget. Interim city manager Kathy Dillon said it was a housekeeping matter which dealt with the state wanting a different figure from the school’s budget than one included in the previous ordinance. • Awarded a bid to A&H Landscaping and Plumbing for $1,325 to demolish a building at 209 West Park St. The only other bid came from Dennis Scarborough for $2,500. • Agreed to allow the placement of a firing range for the police department at the end of Stone Street. The Tennessee National Guard is expected to perform the work on the facility. Garner said it was necessary to build the firing range since Goodyear decided to close its range because of its proximity to Interstate-69. Garner said the Obion County Sheriff’s Department may also utilize the facility. The installation of the firing range is not expected to cost the city any money. • Accepted a BlueCross BlueShield bid for health insurance which is 8.83 percent higher for one level and 11.77 percent higher for the other. The bid was the lowest of the two submitted for the city’s plan. The city’s insurance agent, Mary Nita Bondurant, said the last three years, the payout for claims was more than was paid in premiums. During budget discussions earlier in the year, the Union City Council decided the city will no longer pay for dependent coverage. • Accepted the resignation of Ken Ussery from the Industrial Development Board and appointed Tim Shanks to fill the position. • Decided to take no action on the county-wide fire protection plan until more information can be received. • Decided to replace councilman Dianne Eskew on the Planning Commission with councilman Johnny Bacon and to allow Ms. Dillon to attend instead of Mayor Terry Hailey. Mrs. Eskew and Hailey have full-time jobs, which prevent them from regularly attending the 1:30 p.m. meetings. • Decided to replace the yield sign at Dobbins and College streets with a stop sign. It was requested by Mrs. Eskew and supported by Garner. Associate Editor Donna Ryder can be contacted by e-mail at dryder@ucmessenger.com. Published in The Messenger 12.2.09