The Casual Observer

Who among you know  the meaning of the red octagon  shaped sign at many street intersections? It’s really self explanatory. The meaning is spelled in large white letters, “STOP.”  It does not mean “slow down and proceed.”

There is a STOP sign just south of my residence. Every time I sit on my front porch, I see driver after driver slow and proceed. The city could place a police officer there and add to the city treasury greatly.

Let’s try another one, right turn on red. The law says that you can turn
right on red only after you “STOP” and check for traffic.

A three vehicle accident happened recently on North Nolan River Road
because one driver did not STOP before turning right on red. Unfortunately the driver that hit him was racing another driver. Again, the city would do well by placing a full time officer in this area during the school year. I have observed teenagers come out of the drive on Nolan River very fast disregarding oncoming traffic.

Folks, let’s be careful out there and observe these traffic laws that are basic.

On other subjects, the new Civic Center is coming along nicely. It’s strange that I observe only a few construction workers on the scene when I drive by, yet the work seems to be progressing. Maybe there a good gremlins that come in nights to help out.

The Johnson County Community Lodge in Cleburne is going up after twelve years of setting idle. If you don’t know about this, it’s a shelter for those who need temporary housing. Most of the construction is being done by volunteer with the local merchants donating the materials. I’ll be telling you more about this at a later time.

I spent Memorial Day week end visiting friends in the Beaumont area.
There is still a lot of work to do  in helping the residents recover from Hurricane Ike.  It seems to me that we who have not been through such catastrophe can not or don’t want to relate to the loss these folks have experienced.  What would you do if, God forbid, Johnson County was hit by a hurricane or devastating tornado?

There are many organization looking for volunteers to help people in times of need. A lot of these organizations need our time more than they need our finances. After all, with the economy such as it is, I have a lot more time than I have finances. Find an organization that can use you help and talents. If you don’t know where to look, let me know and I’ll point you in the right direction.

The Casual Obsever is an occasional column written by a concerned citizen in our county.  Thanks for stopping by JohnsonCountyEvents.com.