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Florence city councilman asks for traffic violation breakdown

Harper has little sympathy for speeders

By SUSAN MARSHALL

News editor

Florence City Council member Bryan Harper asked police chief Erik King at the Jan. 15 meeting to present a breakdown on traffic tickets and warnings issued by Florence police officers during the past year.

"I get tired of hearing complaints from citizens about our police officers being too quick to give out tickets," Harper said. "I'd like to have something published for people to see so they will know that the police activity is not over the top."

King reported that in 2006 his officers had issued 1,113 tickets and 354 warnings. King also noted that with speeding issues almost all the tickets were issued to drivers going more than 10 mph over the speed limit.

"So what this averages," said Harper, "is roughly three tickets and one warning in a 24-hour day? Is that right?

"But," he added, "some days you give more and some days you give none. There isn't a daily quota."

"That is correct," answered King.

Harper said he would like to get some numbers from Kansas Department of Transportation about the number of cars and trucks that pass Florence on U.S.-50 and -77.

"I just wish people would understand that if they are speeding they are going to get caught and ticketed," said Harper. "I am tired of the phone calls and complaints. I figure, just like the semi that (recently) turned over in the roundabout, you wouldn't get a ticket if you weren't speeding or doing something wrong.

"Why is that so tough to understand?"

Harper said he didn't think there was anything the council could do but support the police department. "But I just wanted to have my say on this," he said.

In a related issue the council discussed once again the creation of an ordinance to prohibit semi trucks on the Eighth Street exit from the roundabout. The state will install signs prohibiting truck traffic only if the city has an ordinance to that effect.

Council members agreed unanimously to pass such an ordinance, but to also put a directional sign at the bottom of Eighth Street pointing to U.S.-50 so that trucks that mistakenly take the exit will be able to find their way out of town.

In other business, the council:

— heard from fire chief Tim Parmley that funds earmarked for Firefighter's Relief Association will be transferred into a retirement fund with Kansas Farm Bureau. The funds will be disbursed to Florence firemen who have served at least 20 years. They will receive a $200 a year payment from the fund. Parmley also promised to present council members with an updated inventory of firefighting equipment.

— heard that Florence Fire Department will hold its annual Ground Hog Day pancake feed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Florentine Center.

— heard from city clerk Darla Gore that due to a death in the city auditor's family, the audit will take place a day later than scheduled.

— performed a second reading on the resolution to annex into the city land along U.S.-50 and -77 being donated by the state of Kansas.

— heard a request by city superintendent Phil Baldwin to schedule the purchase of water testing kits and chlorine canisters on a rotating basis rather than asking council each time they are needed. The water kits cost $119 each and the chlorine canisters are $300 each, putting them above the city's limit for purchases made without council approval. After discussion, council approved authorizing Baldwin to make the purchases as needed.

— was invited by Florence Chamber of Commerce president Sara Neal to join the chamber. Council members approved membership in the organization as long as it refrains from making political stands and limits its activities to promoting the community and its business base. Neal also thanked city employees for their help with the installation of the Christmas tree and other decorations.

— heard the chamber has created a new group called CHAPS (chamber, historical society, and PRIDE support) that will concentrate on supporting any event sponsored by any group in Florence.

— was thanked by Trayce Warner for sponsoring her membership into Leadership Marion County.

— discussed with Baldwin a bid previously submitted by Bruce Fetrow to re-build the ladder to the sewer ponds. Fetrow was told at the time the cost was too high. He will re-submit the estimate.

— heard from Mayor Sue Klassen that Marion County Economic Development secretary Teresa Huffman is interested in featuring Marion communities in 15-second spots on a Wichita television station. The cost would be about $300 for 15 spots shown during a given month.

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