Quick fixes lead to long-term problems

On Nov. 15, 2015, shortly after the Meridian IHOP restaurant opened for business, a humongous hole took out the west side of its parking lot. The reason it happened was due to a oblong culvert that was probably not designed for the placement of a parking lot on top of it.

Because, it 1) had been there for some time, and 2) the culvert had no internal structural integrity and support for its size, it makes me want to ask a question. Before the IHOP and its parking lot was in the final design stage, did a mechanical engineer sign off on the culvert design and integrity for a parking lot on top of it?

Being a Mississippi licensed remodeling contractor, I know and understand the importance of an engineer signing off on an important item as an existing culvert of that size underneath a parking lot. And, also, there was and had been a lot of heavy equipment on the ground during the start to the finish of the IHOP restaurant.

So, now, I bring up another problem. Over the months of contractors working to restore the parking lot, I have not seen any form of concrete culverts installed, nor any type of forms for the pouring of concrete on the job site. I have noticed that all the structural support comprises of steel. And, as the primary support for a new parking lot, it is fair to say that over time, the structural integrity of bare unpainted steel will disintegrate.

The city of Meridian has chosen a quick fix for a serious structural problem, that will, over the years, will be required to support a lot of weight. Also, in my opinion, that is one of the problems of today – quick fixes for very important parts of our lives. That passes the problem to someone else.

The city of Meridian and Lauderdale County have had a history of passing the problems to the next generation. Look at the decades of problems of the Lauderdale County Courthouse. Look at the decades of problems with the spillway at Lakeview Lake. And look at the years of problems of the incorrect and insufficient ways of repaving the streets of Meridian.

For example, the new way that the city is repaving the streets is to skim the existing surface with about 1 to 1 1/2 inches of new asphalt with it slightly tapering to the curb. If the existing surface has unstable cracks, it’s only going to continue to crack, and/or pothole again and again, until it is fixed properly.

It has been my opinion that, if a community, town or city, wanted to attract new businesses, that it would make itself attractive, with a much better infrastructure, which includes good stable roads, utilities and a city and county government that was united in the betterment of its community, town or city.

Since I moved back to Meridian, there has been, and is, too much indecision, lack of direction, too much infighting amongst, and within and between the Meridian City Council and the Lauderdale County supervisors, and pouting in order to get your way. 

Floyd T. Killebrew Jr.

Meridian

Mothers deserve, praise, thanks

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Congratulations to all the mothers in Mississippi! I greatly appreciate my wife, mother, grandmothers and aunts that have influenced my life. Mothers play a critical role in providing the guidance needed for today’s youth. How are children best trained to be responsible, mature, contributing adults? There is no question that a mother molds the child – who comforts a sick child, who wipes away the tears, who gives so very much, but asks so very little.

David O. McKay said, “ True motherhood is the most beautiful of all arts, the greatest of all professions. She who can paint a masterpiece or who can write a book that will influence millions deserves the plaudits and admiration of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters whose immortal souls will be exerting an influence throughout the ages long after painting shall have faded, and books and statues shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give.”

In an age when mothers are devalued, they deserve even more of our praise, support and thanks. Mothers should be remembered and honored not only on Mother’s Day but every day of the year.

Reed Markham

Sorrento, Florida

Congratulations to The Star

I’ve been meaning to write you for some time. Congrats on your CHNI award. Seven or eight years this newspaper was a waste of paper. You would be lucky to find more than three wire service stories, no news from Jackson and nothing but fluff.

Please keep up the good work and thank you.

Michael Anderson

Meridian