MACON, Ga. — In September, Macon-Bibb commissioners loosened up some of the red tape around the process for people to request more streetlights in their neighborhoods.
Now, people in one east Macon neighborhood say it's paid off after commissioners approved more lights for them at Tuesday's commission meeting. There are plenty of lights to go around on Fairway Drive, but some neighbors say it still gets pretty dark. They say it's a safety concern for kids who like to play in their front yards.
After dark, neighbors walked the narrow street on Fairway Drive, enjoying a nice, cool night. It's a favorite pastime for some in the neighborhood, day or night.
"We have also those who walk early in the morning in the community," said Barbara Neeley, who's lived in the neighborhood almost 50 years.
Without sidewalks, good lighting is how walkers and drivers stay safe.
"We have children going to school in the morning, and time is about to change," she said. "About to fall back. So, we have children who are going to the bus stops, so we need some lights."
Neeley got her wish Tuesday at Macon-Bibb's weekly commission meeting. After some debate, commissioners decided to add one streetlight on Fairway. Neeley says while she'd like more, any little bit helps.
"The lights that we have requested here in Lake Arrowhead is more of an intervention," Neeley explained.
It's an intervention to keep pedestrians and drivers safe, also to deter crime.
"It is not that we get reports that there's a great deal of crime right now in this area, because we are very active in the neighborhood watch. Very, very active in that," she said.
Neeley says before commissioners changed the request process, she had to pay a $100 fee, and get signatures from neighbors. Those aren't required anymore. She says now, there's one thing left to do: put in a couple more applications.
"Warpath Road has, I believe, two lights, and it goes all the way up, and I believe that we need one or two more lights," Neeley said.
She says the new process was super easy, and encourages people to apply for more lights, even if they're on the fence. She says it can't hurt.
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