Some Laurel residents want the city’s help in reducing speeding on their street while another resident wants to honor the memory of Police Chief Tyrone Stewart.
During the recent city meeting, residents of 15th Street asked the Laurel City Council to consider doing something to reduce the speed of motorists on the residential portion of their street.
Shelia Hennis and James Chiddister, two residents who live on west 15th Street, told city officials about the dangers of speeding motorists on the residential portion of west 15 th Street, particularly the residential area that leads motorist from the east to west part of town and runs beside the city’s only Super Walmart.
Hennis said she has been in communications with former mayor Susan Vincent and others who acknowledged that the addition of the Walmart two decades ago was expected to increase the traffic on their street.
“We have a speeding problem on our street. It’s been 20 years since the Walmart was put in and the problem has not been fixed,” Hennis said. “
Former Police Chief Tyrone Stewart tried to help us.”
Hennis also applauded the efforts of Police Officer Kenny Rogers with the Laurel Police Department and others who have worked in the area and gave speeders tickets.
She also cited several accidents that have occurred on their street recently.
“Something needs to be done,” she said. “We are just asking for help.”
Chiddister agreed adding that a recent accident could have been life-threatening.
In a separate matter, Laurel resident Marian Allen asked the council to consider honoring the memory of late Police Chief Tyrone Stewart by placing a honorary marker at the street corner near the Laurel Police Department.
Allen told city officials that she’s hoping the City of Laurel will honor the memory of the former police chief, who died while serving the citizens of Laurel.
“The State of Mississippi under the leadership of Senator Juan Barnett and Commissioner Tom King honored Tyrone Stewart with a section of Highway 11. So, it is only befitting that the City of Laurel recognize him,” she said. “This letter is requesting the City Council through an ordinance honorary rename Mason Street at the corner of Magnolia Street at the Law Enforcement Center, the Chief Tyrone Stewart Street.”
Allen said she is not asking the city to rename the street, which already recognizes another person.
“I understand that Mason Street is named in honor of William H. Mason (of Masonite). This letter is to allow for the placement of a commemorative sign in addition to the existing street sign at this corner,” she said as she displayed an example of an honorary sign.
Allen praised Stewart and said she believes he should be honored by the city.
“Chief Stewart was a native of Jones County/Laurel, who worked for the Laurel Police Department and worked his way up the ranks to chief,” she said. “He not only worked for the department, but he worked in the community. He worked until his last day on earth service the City of Laurel.”
City Council President Tony Thaxton said the city has guidelines established about the naming of streets and buildings and the request for the honorary marker will need to be presented to the city’s planning commission before it’s considered by the city council.