Resident of Rivermill Subdivision Calls for Turn Lane at Entrance

Dear Editor,

As a concerned member of the Rivermill community and family friend of the recent accident victims at Highway 81 and Rivermill Road I have been "stirring the pot" with my neighbors. This is not a role I enjoy. However, in light of recent events and the information uncovered I have no regrets for having done so — and continuing to do so. While one wouldn't think it based on the comments on recent articles, I am a very private person that does not interfere with my neighbor's business. I'm a firm believer in God being the judge of all of us ... I do not take it upon myself to judge anyone.

That being said, because the victim's family told me point blank, "We must get the media involved, we must NOT let this happen to anyone else" — Brenda Tweedy Hollings

I have indeed drawn attention to our problem. The problem is the entrance to our subdivision — Rivermill. Many of us are original owners/inhabitants of the community. Many of us opted out of the HOA when we bought our homes (because) there was so much "picking" on certain houses/families ... We don't like your yard decoration ... No basketball hoops ... etc., etc. Constant nosey neighbors. In the last several years, however, we were all under the impression that the organization was disbanded. The last we heard, a new owner was trying to claim ownership to the community property at the front and assumed he had succeeded. No news, no updates, no information in our minds equalled no HOA. 

On the 24th I learned via comments on the article in the Barrow Patch, that we do indeed have an HOA. Multiple requests for info brought only personal attacks and the impression that all homeowners, residents, renters were in fact unwanted. Multiple times the current president said I should take over ... That she would swear me in, etc. This is not at all my intent. After I made her angry by criticizing her presidential skills she announced that plans were being finalized with the DOT and there was NOTHING we could do except be patient.

I requested a community page on Facebook or a website (thinking it may already exist) but after i was told to I did. I put out cheaply made, but informative signs to try and get as many in our neighborhood as possible to join the discussion and get information about our community.  Our membership has increased hourly since I set it up ... I am so pleased!

(Sunday) morning around 1am I updated our new forum page ... Excited to share information with our neighbors and excited to receive feedback. Thrilled to know the DOT and our HOA had already hashed out a fix to our problem. I was overjoyed that I could stop fighting and sit back and be happy to know there was a forum for us all to share information. Then our HOA president posted a comment that revealed the truth I most feared ... The DOT plans do NOT include a turn lane!

"If we wanted to fight for a turn lane then all the plans would have to go to the architects but that it really was too close to the bridge to even be.possible to do so. And probably would get denied anyway. It would cause even more delays. So he said they would do anything and everything possible to draw attention to the intersection. In the early stages of the project, we knew there was a possibility of a turning lane. Not a definite." — Allison Moravec

Despite such inadequate plans, she plans to meet with the DOT to FINALIZE these plans. If she gives the sign and seal of approval we have greatly diminished our chances of getting this issue resolved.

Had we been informed earlier that there was an HOA ... That they were making plans on our behalf without our knowledge, we would never have even entertained any plans without a turn lane.

I have contacted news channels 2, 5, 11, 46 ... The Sheriff's Dept ... Spread the word locally ... But we need help! We need to bombard the media with our issue until the DOT takes notice. You CAN fight the DOT ... We SHOULD fight the DOT ... We need to DEMAND a safe entryway and exit!!!!

Please, I'm truly begging you, BARROW COUNTY ... Help us save lives! We must have a turn lane or other ADEQUATE traffic control or others will be injured. Others lives will be horribly impacted!

And keep in mind, the next time it could be one of the MULTIPLE bus loads of children that are bussed in and out of the Rivermill subdivision every day! Not JUST Rivermill children but children from neighboring communities ... Possibly YOUR children!

THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE ... So squeak loudly, People!!!

Extremely concerned parent, homeowner, and advocate for public safety,

Sydney BellvilleMoore

The opinions expressed above are those of the writer, not Barow Patch. Barrow Patch will accept letters to the editor discussing current local issues. Letters should be addressed to the editor and not to third parties. All letters must have the name of the author and contact information, such as a phone number or e-mail address. Contact information will not be published and will be used for verification purposes only. Letters should express the thoughts of the writer. Copied content will not be published. All letters are subject to editing for length, clarity and factual accuracy. Barrow Patch reserves the right to reject letters that do not comply with our site’s acceptable use policy. Letters may be submitted via e-mail to barrow@patch.com.