Free-For-All Friday 9/30/16

Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not yet discussed here over the past week.

You do that while I continue to pull my hair out over server issues.

33 thoughts on “Free-For-All Friday 9/30/16”


  6. I’m concerned about the intersection of McDonough and Howard. In the two lanes that are left, some people are interpreting the right lane (painted with a right turn arrow) as a right turn onto Howard. Others are interpreting it as a right turn lane onto College. Those who think it’s a right turn onto Howard, and who want to go straight or turn onto College, are getting in the left lane and driving through the intersection into the right lane at McDonough and College. Those who interpret it as a right turn arrow for College are driving straight through the intersection. This is leaving two lanes driving into the same space at the intersection.

    This confusion is causing a back-up, and, if it hasn’t already, it’s going to cause some fender-benders.

    I know which interpretation of the paint I’m taking, but I’d rather hear what others think as well as possible solutions.

    Thanks

    1. Agreed. The current arrangement and signage near the tracks, even if “temporary” (18 months), is pretty bad. You’d think someone from the city who is involved with the project might have noticed the constant conflict created at that intersection, but I’m guessing they totally avoid the area at all costs now as well.

    2. I have tried to avoid that intersection also, but drove through it last weekend. I was totally confused by the signage. I was going straight to S. McDonough, but got in the lane on the right with the right arrow (mainly out of habit because I was used to the right lane being the straight lane). But, I think the left lane is the straight lane with the right lane for a right turn onto howard only.

      Regardless, very confusing.

    4. I agree this is confusing. One would assume the right lane is for turning right on Howard and not for turning right on College, however going Northbound at this intersection, the left lane is for turning left both at College and Howard. I wish the City would address this and the other traffic issues at the intersection of N McDonough and College/Howard (both north and south bound) and also the intersection at N McDonough and Trinity. I think hoping people will avoid these intersections is not a real solution.

    5. Pain is the dingdong who scheduled both McDonough and Trinity being ripped up at the same time. For those of us on the “other” side of the RR tracks this creates a no- win situation trying to get to COD or any points north along either Clairemont or Church. Betcha Gringhouse is reelin after investing a bundle to have a 18 month view of pipes, clay and chain link fence. My only alternative to avoid rush hour crushes is Columbia to Commerce.. I guess that just triggered that rip up. “DOT/COD jointly working hard so we can’t”

  8. Suggestion: Don’t pull your hair out. You’ll miss it when it’s gone and it may not grow back.
    -confession from a former great-hair-now only-great-beard guy.

  10. I don’t know what interpretation is correct since I’ve avoided that intersection at all costs since construction began. That said I see little reason to turn right on Howard from McDonough especially now that the road it down to one lane each direction. Personally I would take Commerce to Howard and turn from there.

    2. People parking or dropping off at the high school might turn there as the parking lot entrance is on that stretch. It still might be easier to come from Commerce–I come from the opposite direction so not sure the best traffic pattern to DHS from the northern parts of Decatur.

  14. I dropped off a forgotten notebook for my son today. I asked where kids should be dropped off or picked up for school at DHS. The person in the attendance office (not Mr. Anderson) honestly did not know. I don’t recall any info from the school either. May be I should ask but am posting here instead.

    1. This was sent out to DHS parents last Thursday:

      The work of narrowing McDonough Street in front of the DHS campus began today. This work will go on for the foreseeable future and we will make the necessary long term adjustments to our traffic patterns as needed. For the next few days school buses will pick up and drop off in front of the school. We ask that parents pick up and drop off in the parking lot that is accessible from Commerce Drive.

  16. Reminder that Saturday is the Boneyard Sale at 205 Adair Street. Don’t be afraid to come and spend money! Buy lots of Halloween stuff, Everything must go! We are starting at 10 AM. Because it’s Saturday and we want to sleep in.

  18. Issue 5 – I just got a vote yes mailer.

    I would encourage everyone to vote NO, even though it seems to not be the right choice.

    I am very opposed to this measure, based on the senior exemption portion. What this does is to exempt seniors for taxes, without considering income. As a result, affluent seniors will be exempt. Think about it – the budget for the schools stays the same, but more of their money has to come from taxpaying families.

    So, if you vote yes on issue 5, you are voting for working families, many paying child care expenses, subsidizing the property tax of affluent seniors.

    I recommend voting NO on issue 5. Instead, if there is to be a senior exemption, base it on either income (say $50k or less) or house value (exempt up to $400k or so). Seniors with limited means should be able to retire in place – but this measure misses the mark. Working families should NOT be subsidizing affluent seniors.

    Please let me know if you agree or disagree. As presented by the mailer, the measure misrepresents the true impact of issue 5 and instead presents happy smiling faces and platitudes. We don’t need perfect legislation, but we need it to at least be ok.

  20. How come decaturmetro has to check my browser for 5 seconds before taking me to the page today? Has anyone else had that odd window pop up every time you try to access the site today? Do you have a virus?

  22. Has anyone noticed that when they put ‘traffic calming’ measures into place all it does is cause more traffic?

    1. More traffic? Why would that be? I think what you actually mean is slower traffic, and that is part of the point of traffic calming.

    2. +1, brianc. Traffic counts tend to remain relatively comparable. What changes is the sense of congestion in instances where wait times increase due to the slowing of traffic. That’s a trade-off some places choose in order to make the street more habitable to pedestrians and bicyclists, rather than just a car sewer flushing vehicles from one place to another.

      I don’t deny that these transitional periods can be a pain in the ass but the livability improvements make it worth it for me. That’s why I chose to live here rather than somewhere else.

        1. Is that not still a thing? My slavish devotion to such matters has dwindled over time in inverse proportion to the amount of gray in my beard.

          1. I actually miss the +1 because the not-so-new like button disguises who is actually liking things.

  24. What do you do when debris from an apartment construction site falls down and bounces into your car window, shattering it? Is there any way you can get the construction company to pay for it?

    1. I think you need talk to an attorney and/or file an insurance claim and let your insurance company duke it out.

      1. Cost is below the deductible so insurance company is not involved. Lawyer would probably cost more than the repair. Any way to talk to the builders directly?

        1. Unless an attorney is involved, who understands the law and could threaten legal action, I doubt if you’d get far.

  28. Is there any sort of update on Amazza pizza going in? It’s was announced back in Feb, was sure it would have been opened by now.

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