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Residents raise concerns about crime, growth, school traffic and water rates during Lamar council public comment
Summary
During public comment, residents urged city officials to address crime and graffiti, asked about diversity-equity-inclusion policies, sought truck routing for a new elementary school and questioned water-rate distribution; another resident asked about Highway 75 reconstruction plans and pavement methods.
Several residents spoke during the Lamar City Council's public comment period on Oct. 21, raising concerns about crime, graffiti, population growth, truck traffic near a planned elementary school, and how the city allocates water costs. Another resident asked for details about a large Highway 75 reconstruction project and whether the pavement would be fully replaced or overlaid.
Bill Dalton, who identified himself as living at 315 Eighteenth Street Southeast, thanked outgoing council service members and public safety personnel, then raised several concerns. He asked whether the city has a diversity, equity and inclusion policy and said, “If it is, why? It should never be allowed. I don't nobody nobody should be given priority over anybody.” He also described witnessing daytime thefts at a local store and increased graffiti around town. On school traffic, Dalton urged that trucks be rerouted away from Eighteenth Street when the new elementary opens: “There should be trucks rerouted. They should have multiple routes out of the elementary school to minimize congestion, safety for the parents, kids, teachers, and staff.” He also asked why large water users appeared to be paying a lower share of costs, saying he had heard companies using 80% of the water were paying 30% of the cost and asked for an explanation.
Nick Malawi, who gave his address as 115 Twelfth Street Southwest, asked about an $11 million figure reported for a Highway 75 project and whether the plan was to pour new concrete over existing concrete. City staff answered that design is still underway and that decisions about full replacement versus overlay have not been finalized; staff said testing (CTS) and design work (DGR) are underway and noted previous patching expenditures of roughly $850,000 over recent years.
City staff invited Dalton to submit his written questions to the city administrator so staff could provide responses in writing. Officials noted some traffic- and drainage-related design work remains preliminary but that traffic routing near the future elementary and coordination on related projects are under discussion.
No formal council action was taken during public comment; the remarks were recorded for follow-up by staff.
