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Dr. Ronald P. Rogers CHIROPRACTOR Support for your body's natural healing capabilities 270-384-5554 Click here for details 
  
Columbia Gas Dept. GAS LEAK or GAS SMELL Contact Numbers 24 hrs/ 365 days 270-384-2006 or 9-1-1 Call before you dig 
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Commentary on future of Old Adair Courthouse, Downtown Writer thinks priority for a revived Downtown Columbia is to make it more Pedestrian Friendly; recalls the horror of seeing an elderly lady killed on the Burkesville Street crosswalk. CM editorial comment follows article. 'Because of the foresight of politicians of both parties, the risk taken by local entrepreneurs, and the patience and diligence of the residents of Adair County and South Central Kentucky; Columbia/Adair County is positioned to lead not follow, achieve not deceive, build not tear down.' BILLY JOE FUDGE By Billy Joe Fudge Recently in the Columbia Magazine our community aired some of its thoughts about the Adair County Courthouse and its place in our future. That was a great discussion but I am really concerned about the future viability of Downtown Columbia. With the advent of Holliday Place, the Columbia Bypass, the imminent completion of the new South 61, and the vacating of the Adair County Courthouse; I believe most folks would agree that the dynamics of our Downtown area will be forever changed. Given the fact that a metamorphosis is occurring, are we as a community going to do the things necessary to assure that the metamorphosis is going to produce a living, vibrant downtown? Do we want a downtown that is alive and able to spread its wings and fly or do we want to follow the stagnant model of a Campbellsville or a Somerset, et al.? Downtowns such as these have existed for years in a not quite alive/not quite dead pupal stage. Holladay Place is a blessing Holladay Place is such a blessing for our community. I believe it will continue to grow, prosper, and become an even greater asset to Columbia/Adair County. The completion of the new South 61 will increase exposure to Columbia/Adair County by becoming an important segment of the Heartland Parkway transportation corridor via Chattanooga, E-town, Louie B. Nunn Parkway and the Bluegrass Parkway. Columbia Western Bypass is different story The Columbia Western Bypass is a different story, however. The bypass has helped with school traffic but Downtown Columbia remains an obstacle course and one of the most unsafe areas, if not the most unsafe area, of Adair County. Trucks and vehicles pulling trailers in the past had no choice but to negotiate The Square. Several years ago I watched in horror as an elderly lady was killed on the Burkesville Street crosswalk. A semi knocked her down and rolled her body nearly flat up to her waist. A speeding vehicle caused her to back up into the path of the truck. The same two elements are in play today and do not have to be. The accident on the square this week is an example of the still inherent danger for pedestrians on The Square. The big need in Downtown is to improve pedestrian traffic I believe the discussion about what to use the Courthouse for is irrelevant because of the inconvenience to pedestrian traffic and the probability that one would be more apt to safely cross Lake Cumberland on July 4th Weekend in a row boat than to safely get to the Courthouse. Let's face it. Downtown Columbia with its historic Adair County Courthouse is not going to become a trendy tourist destination under the present conditions. However, I believe with some "step up to the plate" transparent discussion, cooperation, and action by Judge Melton and the Adair County Fiscal Court, Mayor Bell and the Columbia City Council, Columbia/Adair County Chamber of Commerce, the Citizens of Adair County, and the Kentucky Department of Transportation we can control this metamorphosis. Because of the foresight of politicians of both parties, the risk taken by local entrepreneurs, and the patience and diligence of the residents of Adair County and South Central Kentucky; Columbia/Adair County is positioned to lead not follow, achieve not deceive, build not tear down. We are all stakeholders in our community's future. Let us not permit complacence, passivity, and a "woe is me" attitude to commit us to a pupal existence. Let us expand our horizons and break the bonds of our cocoon. Let us spread our wings for the world to see. Editorial note: Hope this gets more people thinking about making Columbia into a doughnut, with development on the bypasse(s) and a slow, quiet, livable town on the interior. I agree that the top priority in Downtown Columbia ought to be 1) Pedestrian traffic, and would put the priorities beyond that at 2) Human powered traffic 3) Slow cars, preferably electric and golf cart, and mass transit traffic, 4) Individual cars, 5) Only small, local delivery trucks and 6) Big trucks, when absolutely essential deliveries are made, only with a prior call to the Columbia Police Department. -EW This story was posted on 2009-04-25 10:38:04
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Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know. More articles from topic Commentary:
Rev. Joey N. Welsh: Small town virtues Commentary: Tearing down courthouse thing makes her angry Margaret Taylor: Thoreauvian experience in Pulaski Co., KY The Message Mitzi taught me: Just be glad we're still here. Enjoy Looking Ahead 2009: For remaining dry, for civil discourse OP-ED - Pinewood: It's not just about the golf course Question: Is a local Cell Phone Directory needed? Rev. Joey N. Welsh: Lessons from those Burma Shave signs Rev. Joey N. Welsh. Persistence Rev. Joey N. Welch essay to read while Chris finishes Chapter Six View even more articles in topic Commentary |
 
115 Jamestown St. Columbia, KY. 270-384-2496 
  
   
 Provided by the Adair Co Fiscal Court and the Adair Co. Emergency Mgt. Agency 
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