Concerns on intersection discussed (04/14/08)

Concerns about a rural intersection that was the scene of a fatal traffic accident last week were brought to Jay County Commissioners this morning.

Elaina R. Kramer, 47, Ridgeville, died Thursday evening after she was involved in a collision at county roads 200 South and 200 West.

"It's probably one of the most dangerous intersections," Sheriff Ray Newton told commissioners.

Currently north and southbound traffic on road 200 West must stop at the intersection. Road 200 South also makes a slight jog at the intersection, which may be a factor, Newton said.

The sheriff floated the idea of making the intersection a four-way stop, but that found little enthusiasm from the commissioners.

"If they're not stopping, a four-way stop's not going to help," said commissioner Gary Theurer.

Commissioner Milo Miller Jr. said a four-way stop might actually create more problems, since people have been driving that stretch of county road 200 South for years without having to stop.

Both county roads (200 West and 200 South) are heavily traveled by students going to Jay County High School and by trucks traveling to and from the new ethanol plant.

"It's pretty heavily traveled from Ohio," said Miller.

Commissioners took Newton's comments under advisement.

"I'm just voicing my concerns," Newton said. "I think we're going to have more (accidents)."

Commissioners were unanimous in approving an ordinance recommended by Newton that increases the co-payments by prisoners receiving medical attention while in the Jay County Jail.

The ordinance increases the co-pay from $7 to $15 on prisoner visits to doctors or dentists and boosts the co-pay from $3 to $5 on prescriptions.

Newton said the new levels are in accordance with Indiana Department of Correction guidelines.

"I wish we could raise it more," Newton said.

"Anything you can get from the offenders is better for the taxpayers," said Miller.

Newton also informed commissioners that one of the cellblock door mechanisms is out of service, forcing the jail to house prisoners in a dormitory-style system. Repair of the door mechanism has not been possible.

The county has held off replacing the door systems until jail expansion plans are finalized.

In other business, acting as the county drainage board, commissioners:

•Approved drainage plans for the new fire station and emergency medical service building to be constructed in Dunkirk. The plans were reviewed by county surveyor Brad Daniels.

•Urged Daniels to check on the cost of an extended warranty for an excavator purchased in 2007.

The current warranty expires the end of May.

•Noted it may be necessary to borrow funds from other accounts to continue doing ditch work in some watersheds because of the delay expected in collection of spring property taxes as a result of reassessment.[[In-content Ad]]