Views from readers: train accidents + life in Gautier + thank you

The front beach

The saga of forever construction on Front Beach in Ocean Springs continues.

Jackson County is trying to tame a beach with millions of dollars worth of concrete sidewalks. This folly will end up on Front Beach Drive after the next big storm and they’ll start over and waste more money.

This is bad enough, but the hiring of part-time contractors that come and go at will has to change. They disrupt the enjoyment of the beach by the public. It’s time to end the sweetheart contracts, Jackson County. It’s time to hire engineers who understand the nature of beaches and water currents.

Bottom line.: Jackson County should stop wasting money and get the job done.

Clive Mutschler

Ocean Springs

Thank you

I would like to thank all of the good Samaritans that stopped to help me on Saturday when I got hit by the truck on U.S. 90 in Ocean Springs.

I’m sorry I did not get anyone’s name, but I think you understand. So, again, thank you.

A. J. Adams III

Ocean Springs

Be careful

Although most Americans today know the dangers associated with drunk driving, distracted driving or texting while crossing the street, many are unaware of the risks they are taking around railroad tracks.

According to preliminary statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration, 614 pedestrians were killed and 526 injured in trespassing incidents on railroad tracks in 2021, with an additional 236 fatalities and 668 injuries resulting from vehicle-train collisions at rail crossings. In fact, every three hours in the United States a vehicle or person is struck by a train.

In Mississippi last year, there were six trespasser deaths and 14 injuries, along with two grade crossing fatalities and 15 crossing injuries.

So, why is this happening, and what can we do about it?

In our distracted society, people may become complacent or might not understand the need for caution near railroad tracks and trains. Pedestrians and drivers often simply do not realize that it is dangerous and illegal to walk on railroad tracks or how long it takes the average freight train to stop.

My organization, Operation Lifesaver, works every day to make communities safer by offering free rail safety education programs in states across the nation.

Everyone can save a life in their community by sharing the rail safety message and remembering this simple phrase: “See Tracks? Think Train!” Together, we can stop track tragedies.

Kimbler Sloan

Executive Director

MS Operation Lifesaver

Life in Gautier

The city of Gautier is the third largest in South Mississippi and that comes with tax revenues.

My question is who is spending it?

We still have infrastructure issues with water and sewer. The internet is lacking. No 5G being dug here. The city recently purchased Singing River Mall, which sets empty except for one retail outlet. We have only one grocery store. There’s no convenient, close location for our seniors to access. They have to travel to neighboring cities and spend their money in another municipality.

We the people of Gautier deserve better from our elected officials, and we can certainly change this ourselves at election time.

We have the room for growth. The mayor and alderman seem to stay out of sight and out of the news. We should have choices like other communities in South Mississippi. Where are our tax dollars being spent? We’re playing second fiddle here in Gautier and it’s time for all of us to strike a chord. The Coast is booming, and so should Gautier.

Malcolm McBee

Gautier