In its meeting Tuesday night, the Piedmont City Council unanimously approved a resolution that will allow Calhoun County to put stop signs and speed breakers on Wagon Road, commonly referred to as "Thrill Hill."
Wagon Road features a cresting vertical curve that, at high speeds, can send a car airborne. The hill has also been a factor in several accidents, including the accident last December that claimed the lives of Miranda and Erin Givens and seriously injured Jacob Prince.
The movement began a few months ago when the Givens' parents, Charles Givens and Janet Henson, approached County Commissioner Rudy Abbott about things that could be done since Wagon Road is outside of the Piedmont City Limits.
Piedmont Mayor Brian Young says that the safety precautions will go a long way in preventing future accidents.
"At least something good will come out of this," Young said in reference to the accident. "We're going to work to eliminate some of that issue. A lot of areas have something like that. We just want to make it as difficult as possible for anyone to do that here."
According to Young, that part of Wagon Road is governed by Calhoun County and the County Commission could have acted without consulting the city, but did so out of courtesy.
The council was presented with a plaque by Keith Word, commemorating the work of Congressman Kenneth A. Roberts. At the request of councilperson Mary Bramblett, Word began researching Roberts' history in Congress and upon obtaining a picture of the late congressman, presented the plaque to be displayed in the municipal court's council chambers.
Roberts' former home stood on the ground that is now occupied by the municipal court building.
Finally, the council honored one of Piedmont's true legends, Prudence Hilburn, by changing Thatcher Street to Prudence Hilburn Path.
Hilburn has written a food column for The Anniston Star for 23 years, been a syndicated columnist for the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group, appeared on CBS and The Food Network and published 10 cookbooks.
"You just don't know how happy this has made me," Hilburn said. "You'll never know because my mind just cannot put into words what my heart is feeling. I can think of no better place for a sign bearing my name to lead from the house I was born in on Ladiga Street to the house of the Lord where I worship."
In other business, the council:
• Voted to appoint David Ivey to the Industrial Development Board, which recruits industries to the city.
• Passed a resolution making the week of September 17-23 as Constitution Week, marking the 222nd anniversary of the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.
• Paid bills totaling $107,595.24
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