Oxford Board of Aldermen Discuss Noah’s Law, Run-Off Elections and More at August 4 Meeting

The Oxford Board of Aldermen met yesterday to discuss the following items of business:

Traffic on West Jackson Avenue
Portions of West Jackson Avenue will be partially closed Monday, August 10 and Tuesdsay, August 11 for the milling and repaving of the intersection between Heritage Avenue and Harris Drive. Drivers are advised to allow extra time in their commute or consider an alternate route.

Voting and signs
A run-off election has been scheduled for August 25 for some supervisors following the August 4 primary election. The general election will be held on November 3. All campaign signs in the city right of way should be removed by August 6 or they will be removed by the city. Signs on private property are allowed.

Noah’s Law
There was a presentation by the mother of Noah, a young man who bought $1 caffeine energy packets a gas station and later died. Noah’s law was created to prohibit any person under age 18 from buying caffeine pills or powder with more than 25 percent caffeine. The City of Oxford is seeking the necessary information in order to try to implement this law.

Tourism Council
Katie Morrison and Lisa Martin were reappointed to three-year terms.

Oxford School District Budget
Superintendent Brian Harvey presented the district budget for the next fiscal year. The amount from the state does not cover the entire teacher expenses or any of the state mandated testing and programs. The balance comes from the local school district ad valorem taxes, so taxes will not be raised for Oxford citizens this year.

Pop-Up and University Avenue trial re-stripping
The narrowing of lanes and addition of bike lanes and a pedestrian path has shown a preliminary success in July, the slowest month of the year. It was requested to leave it installed until students return to Ole Miss for the fall semester. This will allow officials to determine whether it is truly helpful to traffic flow and increased pedestrian and cycle safety.

It was unanimously agreed to leave the tape in place on the road until September 1 in order to test it in realistic student traffic conditions. Officials do not feel that the tape will present any safety hazards during the trial period, and it will be removed in the event that emergency personnel for the city determine that traffic congestion impacts public health or safety.

Beth Harmon is managing editor for HottyToddy.com. Email her at beth.harmon@hottytoddy.com.