Susan Barr
Kern Valley Sun

The Odd Fellows Hall in Kernville saw a large community turnout at last Thursday’s Town Hall meeting. Supervisor Jon McQuiston was in town to speak with valley residents about their concerns. The bulk of those in attendance were business owners from Kernville or the surrounding areas.

 The main topic of the evening was the possibility of the town receiving a TEA (Transportation Enhancement) grant that  would allow a reduction in the speed of vehicular traffic.

Supervisor Jon McQuiston answers a question from the audience at last Thursday’s community meeting at the Oddfellows Hall in Kernville.

McQuiston had invited representatives of Kern County Roads Department, Barry Nienke, an Engineering Manager with the Traffic Division, and Mark Evans, an Engineering Manager with the Design Division. They were there to help explain the TEA grant process and to describe the kinds of changes they believe would help to bring about a possible decrease in speed and allow safe pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Reducing the current four lanes to two, having a continual turning lane, continual sidewalks and bike paths and angle parking on one side of the street were considered. Each of the suggestions elicited extensive good-natured discussion from the audience.

Evans sited a similar project that was recently completed in Frazier Park. The price tag would be in the neighborhood of $650,000. Both men indicated that the process would be quite lengthy, perhaps taking as long as three years. Evans, who would likely head such a project stated, “Whatever we ultimately apply for, it is extremely important to demonstrate that we have community buy-in.”

McQuiston explained the process by which speed limits are determined and the most effective way to get them changed.

It was decided that for the time being, that two speed surveys will be conducted to determine the current average speed of traffic on both a regular day and on a special-event weekend.

At that point, McQuiston changed the focus of the meeting to another hot topic; port-a-potties. It has long been acknowledged that Kernville has a shortage of rest room facilities, especially during special events weekends. Providing portable toilets has been a short term solution, but placement of them has been somewhat problematic.

The Supervisor put a lighthearted spin on the somewhat controversial subject by stating, “Nixon had his Watergate. I’ve got my Pottygate.”

After substantial discussion, McQuiston clarified, “At this time, local government is facing some very difficult decisions. There is little money available for new projects.” He added that if land could be obtained and a contractor’s services could be utilized, he might be able to find a source of funds for the necessary materials. He suggested that concerned citizens get together to discuss what they themselves might be able to come up with.

Several other subjects were discussed; the possibility of having signage at Riverside Park in both English and Spanish, the Kiosk in Circle Park, the current situation with the courts concerning stocking of the Kern River with trout and lastly, existing emergency protocols for situations that might occur specifically in the Kernville area.