Rinehart: No need for new Fostoria four-way-stop

(Photo by Randy M. Cauthron) Bid awarded on B-24 project Peterson Contracting, based in Rhinebeck, was awarded the contract as the low bidder on this summer's B-24 County Road widening project. The bid of $1,267,327.26 came in well below the three other bids, as well as the county estimate of $1.6 million. The project will wide the shoulders along B-24 to 10-feet on each side and also lessen the grade into the ditch. The work will be done from the Spencer city limits, west to M-27 (the Everly blacktop). [Order this photo]

Clay County Supervisors appeared to be in agreement with a request from the city of Fostoria representatives for placement of downtown stop signs, which would regulate traffic on the county road which serves as the main street in Fostoria.

Scott Rinehart, the Clay County Engineer, however convinced that placement of the signs would not be a good idea during Tuesday morning's meeting.

The request for a four-way-stop at the city's main intersection was approved by the Fostoria City Council in anticipation of receiving support at the county level, but Rinehart, who conducted a speed study at the proposed site said that if anything, based on federal guidelines, the speed could be increased.

"They are now asking for our input," said Supervisor Chairman, Burlin Matthews.

Initially, Supervisor Ken Chalstrom said, "If they want a stop sign, let them have it. The worst offenders are usually the people that live there."

Rinehart suggested otherwise. "The reason we have roads is for people to drive on them. There are two people on this road - ones who want to drive 25 miles per hour, and ones who want to get through Fostoria to get somewhere else."

Based on the results of the Federal Highway Study, which factors the speed at the 85th percentile, the speed could be raised from its existing 25 mile per hour designation to 35.

"I'm not going to put a stop sign there unless you people stand on me," Rinehart said.

The supervisors thanked him for the information, suggesting that he go to the next Fostoria Council meeting and share the same information with the council members. Matthews offered to join him.

The supervisors unanimously supported a resolution asking for a review of the defense of marriage act by the Iowa legislature and the people of the state.

"It's a matter of the county passing a resolution urging the legislature to initiate something to offset the judicial branch," explained Matthews.

During the discussion among the supervisors, it was noted that the court system is not supposed to be making laws in place of the elected officials. The resolution asks legislators to put into motion a process that would allow the people of Iowa to vote on the issue of same-sex marriage.

Matthews suggested that he felt comfortable speaking for his fellow supervisors when he said, "We are all firm believers that marriage is between a man and a woman. That's why we passed it...We hope we represent the majority of the county."

County Attorney Mike Houchins met with the supervisors to discuss a proposed "Good Neighbor Ordinance" targeting rural animal feeding operations.

Calling the proposed code, "unenforceable," Houchins requested the supervisors, "not place something on the books that's not enforceable...You can't legislate happy feelings."