At Issue: What should DeKalb do about school superintendent search?

Last week: Are roundabouts a good idea to alleviate Fayette County traffic problems

Roundabouts being proposed in Fayette County to alleviate growing congestion and reduce accident rates at two intersections along Ga. Hwy. 92/Harp Road, at Seay Road, Antioch Road and Lockwood Road have caused some controversy.

The Georgia Department of Transportation would foot the approximately $5 million cost, and require a small amount of church property to be usurped. Some residents don’t like the plan, but others are more comfortable with roundabouts and support the idea.

GDOT held a public information meeting recently to explain its suggested traffic plan, answer questions and solicit public comment. Fayette County’s staff and Board of Commissioners are leaning in favor of the roundabouts, but has not made a final decision.

Here’s what some of our readers had to say:

Roundabouts are a superior method to keep traffic moving at intersections and avoid the accordion stop-and-go effect of stop signs. They have extensive, well-documented, positive track records. The only real question is does local leadership have the will and strength to override ignorant, narrow thinking that is resistant to new and better transportation methods. — Amy Nyman

I live in Fayette, and don't think we need roundabouts. They don't seem necessary for where they want to place them (or where they already are). Almost seems like someone in the planning department thinks they are a novelty or something. Fayette has a fairly large percentage of retirees, and that is an issue because they are not used to using them. — Independentiii

My hometown of Daphne, Alabama, went through this "ordeal" years ago. Public opinion was against the motion of installing a roundabout at one particular congested intersection. After the installation and a few months of use, the public opinion has swayed the other direction. Residents are actually asking the city to replace more right-angle intersections with roundabouts. — Matt Brasher

My primary concern is that response times for police, fire and ambulances will increase, as they will now have to maneuver through two roundabouts to get to anyone located south of this area. These two roundabouts are much too close to each other. I can see a need for one possibly at the Harp/Seay/Hwy. 92 intersection, but not at the Antioch/Hwy. 92 intersection. Accommodating "traffic" from Lockwood Road is laughable. There simply isn't enough for concern. — Cindy S.

Roundabouts are more efficient than stop signs or traffic lights. People run stop signs and red lights all the time, but the law of physics prevents speeders from "running" a roundabout – they just have to slow down. Complaining that roundabouts aren't cost-effective is ridiculous when they obviously save lives. — Mercy Wright

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

The search for a new DeKalb County superintendent hit a snag recently when the school board voted to fire the firm it had selected to find a replacement for Michael Thurmond. The current superintendent was set to step June 30. The head of PROACT Search is reportedly under investigation for misconduct with a Chicago Public Schools contract.