BY MELISSA PYLE
Telegraph Staff Writer
LAWTEY — The Lawtey City Council meeting spotlighted a new program that will enhance the capabilities of local law enforcement with regard to speeding in the school zones.
Greg Parks, a representative from Redspeed International, was introduced by Police Chief Jerry Feltner. Feltner told the council that Parks had already presented the program to local law enforcement, and they wanted him to present his program to the council for its consideration.
Deserved or not, Lawtey has a reputation for being a speed trap. That hasn’t deterred many drivers from speeding, even in the school zones. The school zones occupy a large section of U.S. 301 in Lawtey and a small section of County Road 225.
The new Redspeed program will send citations of $100 to anyone caught by camera speeding more than eleven miles over the posted speed during school zone hours. This citation is considerably less than the $306 fine that can be issued by an officer.
Currently a law officer will write tickets for 15 miles over the posted speed, but this also comes with four points added to a driver’s license. Unlike the traditional tickets, the Redspeed program will not go against your driver’s license or insurance.
Parks shared the data from Georgia school districts that had implemented the program and saw a drastic decline of school zone speeding. Parks said the camera equipment will be free to install and will help law enforcement with other important safety issues such as a license plate reader to alert to stolen vehicles, sex offenders and Amber Alerts. The program is only active during the school day and during school zone hours.
The money from each citation will be allotted for specific programs. The $37 dollars that goes to the city of Lawtey must be for public safety funds. Five dollars per fund will also go to crossing guard funds. The Bradford County School District will receive $12 per citation for school security. Parks said every penny is earmarked.
Thirty five percent of each citation does fund the actual program costs.
Councilwoman Virginia Warner asked if extra speed signs will be posted. Parks responded that there is a 30-day warning period and there will be new speed enforcement signs posted. Warner also asked if there would be any out-of-pocket expense to the city and Parks assured her that the only cost would come out of the $100 fines paid by speeding violations. Parks stated that the program would also handle maintenance on the equipment.
Chief Feltner discussed needing a magistrate to handle any arbitration requests. Parks said that only about 1% of violators usually request arbitration. Feltner pointed out this will also go into effect on C.R. 225 which is a frequently overlooked school zone. Feltner also stated that from his own research, this is the best program with the least cost.
If implemented, the program would tentatively go into effect by Oct. 1. The council voted unanimously to proceed with the resolution for the Redspeed program. City Attorney Aaron Dukes said he will further review the program for legal issues or hidden costs before moving forward with the ordinance.
Councilwoman Amy Blom presented streets and sanitation issues. They are currently still working on bids for the two bridges to be repaired. There has been a temporary patch repaired by the county. Other requests were made by Councilwoman Warner for street repairs made on Carter Road and Jackson Street. Another $599 was requested to purchase a self-propelled push mower and a $1,200 request to purchase an ice machine. The ice machine will be for all city workers.
City Clerk Lisa Harley suggested $600 but Warner requested $1,200 because she said cheaper models would not last. Harley stated that currently the city workers have to go buy ice or get it from the fire department. Many times, the fire department is already out of ice. It was decided that there needed to be more research into which brands would be best for purchase, but the motion to approve the $1,200 for an ice machine was approved.
Harley informed the council that she is still awaiting bids on the fire hydrant repairs. She has had a lot of no shows for meetings from contractors.
Feltner requested the purchase of speeding signs. These signs run on solar power and would be placed at east and west ends of Lake Street. These radar signs are currently being offered at less than half the usual price. Feltner stated that there’s a major speeding problem for the citizens on Lake Street and these signs will help deter speeders with flashing warning signs. No tickets will be issued but the safety warning will help speeding awareness. The cost of $6,500 for two signs was approved.
Councilwoman Debra Norman discussed the recreation department and the need to appoint two new board members to fill the vacancies. These two positions will be held until the end of the year. Norman nominated Evan Baker and Vyunda Strong. Mayor Jimmie Scott approved the appointments.
The meeting wrapped up with a final mention of a new leak that has been detected at the fire department following one of the recent heavy storms. The fire department said this was a small leak and the first one detected since the most recent repairs. Harley said this was discussed with the county.
RJE reunion coming up
The RJE Alumni will be hosting its biannual school reunion beginning, Friday, Sept. 1. There will be a meet and greet at the Tiger’s Place, 920 Florida St. in Starke, from 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, there will be a Purple and Gold Banquet. The social hour begins at 6 p.m. and the banquet at 7 p.m. (Location to be determined.) Tickets are $35 per person, and you may mail fees for tickets to RJE Alumni, P.O. Box 159, Starke, FL 32091, or contact President Joann Jackson at 904-769-6963.
On Sunday, Sept. 3, there will be a church service at New Bethel Baptist Church, 901 Keller St. in Starke, at 1 p.m. There will be a barbecue luncheon after the church service at The Tiger’s Place. Fees will be $15 for this meal.
The deadline for ticket sales is Aug. 15. T-shirts are available to purchase. For sizes and orders, please contact Mildred Petteway at 904-964-2490.
Every alumnus who can is asked to pay an annual membership fee of $25. RJE was the only High school in the county for African American students. The new school was built in 1909 and closed in 1969 due to schools being integrated.
