Changing Oxford

Driving down University Avenue, I get frustrated and sometimes a bit outraged with the construction that not only takes up my valuable time, but also, gets my car dirty.

After attending Supervisor Mike Pickens' public meeting Monday night at the Oxford Library, however, I became aware that I was not the only one frustrated with the county's road structure. Several attendees expressed their concern for the roads.

Hearing these concerns, I wondered if citizens were frustrated with the county's system of maintaining the roads, or if they were bothered by the rapid growth and expansion of Oxford and Lafayette County.

Oxford is a beautiful historic town, rich with character and class beyond imagination; however, rarely can you take a drive without seeing construction of new condos or housing subdivisions.

As more people buy or rent condos, traffic steadily increases. Oxford, being a small town, does not have the infrastructure to support such heavy traffic.

Potholes form in the weary roads, and in turn, anger citizens like retired UM professor Henry Pace.

When Pace bought his farm on Old Taylor Road in 1968, there were two houses on his road. Today, around 15 houses are on the same road--increasing the amount of daily traffic.

Pace was not the only citizen concerned about the increased traffic on once sparsely traveled roads--several others in attendance shared views with him.

Obviously, roads will need repair throughout the years, but the question arises whether citizens like Henry Pace are angry with the lack of road maintenance or with the growth and change in Oxford and Lafayette County.

Lafayette County will not be able to stop the change, growth, or expansion of Oxford. Students always want the newest condos to live in, while newcomers continue to flock here as well.

In order to keep everyone satisfied, Oxford and Lafayette County must be able to create a balance between road maintenance, growth, and change.