"To say I'm mad enough to spit bullets is an understatement," Orangeburg City Councilman Bernard Haire said Tuesday as he renewed his complaints against Norfolk Southern railroad for blocking train track crossings.

In the latest of several incidents that have pitted City Council against Norfolk Southern, Haire complained that a Norfolk Southern train blocked the Peasley Street crossing Monday for over one hour and 45 minutes while a new crew was sent out to replace others at the end of a mandatory 12-hour shift.

Haire made virtually the same complaint against Norfolk Southern one year ago, during a meeting in February 2007. And, he also reiterated the very same complaint against the city's Department of Public Safety for not enforcing the city codes that allow a train to block a crossing for no more than five minutes.

"We have an ordinance on the books that governs truck routes through the city and I often see public safety officers stopping trucks for violations of the ordinance and writing tickets," Haire said.

"Yesterday, I saw two public safety (cars) pass the blockage and no one stopped. No one made an inquiry. ... I ask that this ordinance be enforced and our public safety officers issue the necessary citations when needed. ... I'm really hot and disgusted and I need to know why we are not enforcing this ordinance," he said.

Department of Public Safety Chief Wendell Davis, who said a year ago that his office would monitor the situation, reported that procedures have been put into place to enforce the ordinance. There may still be a way to write the citation, Davis said, adding that he'll "look into it tonight."

According to City Administrator John Yow, the city did write a ticket to Norfolk Southern one time.

As for the suggestion that the fines be increased with each violation, City Attorney James Walsh said that state law limits fines to $500 or 30 days.

Haire also addressed the ongoing issues the city has with train speeds.

"This council has gone on record trying to get the speed of the train going through Orangeburg lowered, to no avail," he said. "Apparently they don't care about liability."

In other business, council received as information a report from Davis that Orangeburg County's crime rate has shown a 44 percent reduction over the past 10 years.

"Orangeburg County, as a whole, was rated number one in violent crime in 1998 in the state," Davis said. "Today, we're 38th. So, that is a significant reduction."

Contributing to the reduction, Davis said, are an increased emphasis on street enforcement, coordinating patrol and investigations, a zero-tolerance policy for even the simplest assaults that tend to escalate and a crime analysis office that allowed DPS to focus resources where they're needed the most.

Also key, Davis said, was the employment of a forensic chemist and a crime scene investigator.

Davis thanked city officials for helping fight urban blight and providing equipment.

Noting that DPS can't rest on its laurels, Davis said that, unless the city acts now, criminal street gang activity could become overwhelming.

In other business, council:

* Voted 5-0-1 to give second reading to an ordinance making various changes in the zoning ordinance. Haire abstained and Councilman Charles Barnwell was absent.

Among the changes: bed and breakfasts are prohibited in A-1 single family residential districts; the maximum height for residences was increased from 35 feet to 50 feet; digital signs would be prohibited within 300 feet of the nearest residence; development concepts could be presented to council and all planned development districts (PDD's) would go before the Planning Commission and Council for approval.

Downtown there would be an overlay district and off-site parking allowances. Other changes would restrict the period for the display of signs, including political signs, to 30 days; create greater buffer areas; protect trees by prohibiting the cutting of hardwoods greater than 18 inches; ban the use of shipping/storage containers; limit the use of temporary storage units; restrict camping and recreational vehicle parks; clarify setbacks and ensure that garages don't turn into junk yards by limiting the number of disabled vehicles outside.

* Gave unanimous second reading to an ordinance establishing an alternate method for appointing members to boards and commissions.

According to Yow, some boards and commissions require residency in the city, some require residency in specific council districts and one, the Aviation Commission, requires only residency in Orangeburg County.

"Quite frankly, sometimes it's hard for council to get members who agree to serve and who show up for meetings," Yow said before first reading. "This is merely a means of council to have another way to appoint people."

Under the ordinance, a council member can either appoint someone from his district or can nominate someone else with approval by a two-thirds vote of council.

* Agreed to hold a special session of council at noon Wednesday, Feb. 13.

* Passed a resolution declaring February as "Cities Mean Business Month."

* Proclaimed "cooperation" as the character trait for February.

T&D Government Writer Tucker Lyon can be reached at tlyon@tiimesanddemocrat.com or by calling 803-533-5545.

You must be logged in to comment.