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Traffic, election issues raised in Follansbee

SPECIAL RECOGNITION — On Monday, Follansbee Council and City Manager Chris Manack-Stover recognized the Brooke High School Cheering Squad for winning the state cheerleading championship. The squad includes Cadance DeVore, Kayla Elson, Marlee Ewusiak, Ava Gatten, Gabriella Hornick, Alaina Horvath, Sophia Sacripanti, Madi Rujak, Addison Scherich, Ava Scherich, Brielee Shaw, Olivia Snyder, Adison Stanley, Gianna Svokas, Lyla Van Horn, Jaiden Lazear and Raelin Stoll. Its coaches are Michelle Scherich, Trishann Sacripanti, Haley Bowman, Christine Elson, Melissa Lyle and Chelsey Colley. -- Warren ScottSPECIAL RECOGNITION — On Monday, Follansbee Council and City Manager Chris Manack-Stover recognized the Brooke High School Cheering Squad for winning the state cheerleading championship. The squad includes Cadance DeVore, Kayla Elson, Marlee Ewusiak, Ava Gatten, Gabriella Hornick, Alaina Horvath, Sophia Sacripanti, Madi Rujak, Addison Scherich, Ava Scherich, Brielee Shaw, Olivia Snyder, Adison Stanley, Gianna Svokas, Lyla Van Horn, Jaiden Lazear and Raelin Stoll. Its coaches are Michelle Scherich, Trishann Sacripanti, Haley Bowman, Christine Elson, Melissa Lyle and Chelsey Colley. -- Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE — At Monday’s Follansbee Council meeting, a handful of residents suggested measures that could help to improve safety since the West Virginia Department of Transportation removed traffic signals along Main Street while a councilwoman suggested extending and staggering the terms of city officials.

Resident Darlene Boniey said drivers have been driving at high speeds, particularly at the south end of Main Street, and she believes it’s because they don’t have to prepare for the stop lights that once existed there.

Last year, state highway officials removed traffic signals at the intersections of Main Street (which is part of state Route 2) and State and Raymond streets and near the former coke plant at the city’s north end.

They said the move was based on lower traffic counts at the three intersections and standards set by the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

Issued by the Federal Highway Administration, the manual’s guidelines for traffic signals, street signs and road marking are followed in many states. But critics have argued it ignores pedestrians and bicyclists.

TRAFFIC AND ELECTION ISSUES — On Monday, residents suggested measures to improving safety since the West Virginia Department of Transportation has removed traffic signals from three intersections in the southern half of Main Street. Council members also discussed lengthening and staggering their terms. -- Warren Scott

Council members and other city officials have voiced concern for the safety of pedestrians and the difficulty of vehicles currently entering Main Street from side streets when traffic is at its highest.

On Monday, resident James Cicchirillo suggested making sections of parallel streets one-way to make it easier for vehicles to turn onto Main Street.

First Ward Councilwoman Tammy Johnson asked about plans to eliminate parking close to the intersections because parked cars there hinder the visibility of drivers turning onto Main from the side streets.

City Police Chief Larry Rea said because Main Street is part of a state route, that must be approved by state officials but said he expects they will.

Resident and business owner Skip Cutrone suggested the parking space in front of the Follansbee WesBanco branch also be removed because parked vehicles there impede the view of drivers entering Main from its drive-through lane.

Cutrone also asked permission to set back a sidewalk along his property, offering to pay for its cost.

Rea noted crews with the state Division of Highways currently are replacing lights at signals at the city’s north end that haven’t been removed.

In related business, City Manager Chris Manack-Stover said she wanted to make clear the city is only responsible for maintaining streetlights between the Domino’s Pizza shop at the south end of Main and the fire station near the intersection of Main and Allegheny streets.

In recent years, residents have raised concerns about non-working lights along Main and risks to the safety of pedestrians, particularly youth who use the basketball court at Mahan Playground even at night.

Initially it was determined that many of the light posts need to be replaced, driving up the cost because sidewalks above them would have to be removed and replaced.

But Manack-Stover said she’s asked a local contractor to look at some of them and expects an estimate later this week.

Also on Monday, Johnson questioned whether the terms of council members and other city officials should be expanded from two to four years and staggered, so the same slate of officials aren’t up for re-election at the same time.

“There’s not enough time for somebody to learn in two years,” she said of the shorter terms currently in place for all elected city officials.

“What if all of were new when we came in?” she added.

Third Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich said when he has told officials in other municipalities that everyone is up for re-election every two years, most are surprised.

Noting the city is in an election year, City Attorney Michael Gaudio suggested voters could be surveyed on the matter when they cast their ballots.

In related business, City Clerk David Kurcina noted in recent years, council has agreed to dispense with a primary election when there wasn’t a race with more than two candidates.

He said this year, there is only one race with three candidates: that for the seat representing the 1st Ward.

Johnson, Paul Boniey and Anthony D’Ulisse have each declared their candidacy for that office.

Citing the cost and manpower involved in running an election, Kurcina asked whether council should dispense with a primary anyway or hold one only in the 1st Ward.

He questioned whether turnout would be high in other wards when all of the other candidates would advance to the general election.

In response, Paul Boniey told council he will withdraw his candidacy from the 1st Ward race.

Also on Monday, Kurcina said the term of Ed Wilkerson as a representative of citizens on the city’s sewer board will end soon, and council may consider other applicants for it.

Council’s next regular meeting will be at 6 p.m. next Monday.

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