Wingate Lassiter

A few things I'd like for Smithfield

to do in the new year ahead of us

The new year 2020 sounds like a time for "clear vision" as we delve into the future. So the question arises: What needs to be done to make Smithfield a better community?

The "big picture" items are things many of us would like to see --- things like heightened "sense of community," continued downtown revitalization coupled with close-by residential development, improved race relations, responsive and transparent local government, a full restoration of robust community journalism, to name a few.

Permit me to offer a list of "infrastructure" improvements I'd like to see:

• Upgrades to our municipal electric system to guard against another episode like last Sunday's blackout --- obviously something uppermost in our minds just now.

• A more appropriate name than "Booker Dairy Road Extension" for our new northside parkway.

• Adjustments to the traffic signals along Market Street so crossing traffic doesn't have to wait so long (such adjustments would also "brake" the speeders).

• Street markings and "yield" signage to provide a safe mid-block pedestrian crossing of Second Street beside the Courthouse.

• Raising the priority for five-laning Market Street from Bright Leaf Boulevard to the I-95 interchange, including a new railroad underpass --- an expensive project, no doubt, but important for Smithfield's emerging eastern gateway.

• Restoration of the full street lighting we used to have Downtown --- those illuminated street trees aren't sufficient. (Even with better lighting, wouldn't Smithfield's Christmas Parade be more enjoyable during daylight hours on a December Saturday?)