Mayor Decides To Turn Off Street Lights
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Almost 50 street lights were turned off by the city of Medon in an attempt to save money, but residents said it was too dark. “We were not notified that the lights were going to be turned off because of financial problems,” said Shelia McMaster. Medon residents said they had always had the street lights, and relied on them. “For the safety, for the safety of the children, that get on the buses in the morning, for the elderly people who could possibly fall coming down their steps at night,” said Tammy Anthony. Medon Mayor Mike Austin said after the state of Tennessee cut half of Medon’s revenue after the latest census, something had to change. “I see what the rest of the city is feeling, with it being dark, because it is dark, but also from an alderman’s stand-point I know the budget, and I know what we can afford and what we can’t right now,” said Medon Alderman Ande Newman. Newman added the 64 street lights in Medon, was their biggest financial burden. 49 of those were turned off in residential areas, after months of discussion at city meetings. The lights by city hall, the park, and alongside Highway 18 were left on. “They go back, well, no one would come to the meetings, well, usually there’s not much going on. When we got something major, I feel that each citizen should of been notified,” said McMaster. The mayor said he recently took his own census in hopes of getting some revenue back from the state. Mayor Austin said he estimated a saving of $400 with the street lights kept off. City officials said they hoped this was not permanent and hope to find other options. The issue will be discussed again at their next city meeting on April 10.
