Dear Mahatma: On Sixth Street downtown, just west of Main, there's a rectangular sign painted on the pavement. It's right in the middle of the street, it's purple and white, and says "JRMC. Where care comes to life." Is the city selling advertising space on the streets of Little Rock? -- Your Pal Jeannie
Dear Jeannie: Selling advertising on city streets ... don't give the mayor any ideas. Please. For those who don't know, JRMC means Jefferson Regional Medical Center. It's in Pine Bluff.
Jon Honeywell, the city's public works director, said the sign is a sticker likely placed there during one of the many charitable races that happen downtown. Such things are typically removed, he said, but not this one. Time and traffic will remove it.
Honeywell added that the city does not condone the uses of stickers on the pavement and does not give permission to use them in this way.
Dear Mahatma: I was behind a car on Markham Street, and we were both waiting at the arrow to make the left onto Bowman Road. The driver ahead of me decided to go. I caught up with him at the red light at Bowman and Chenal Parkway, rolled down the window and asked if he knew he made a left turn on red. Yes, he said -- no one was coming. It was the arrogance that really bothered me. Have I missed something? -- Annoyed Arkie
Dear Arkie: If something means a change in the state's traffic laws to allow impatient and arrogant drivers to turn left on a red light, no.
Hard to believe, but could be worse. The Mahatma was in Sherwood the other day, on Landers Road, waiting for the red to turn to green in order to turn left onto Wildwood Avenue. It turned green all right, but no fewer than eight drivers ignored their red light and turned left from Wildwood onto Landers.
The missus and I were astonished. Our theory was that when the first goober ran the light, every goober behind acted like a lemming and jumped over the cliff.
Dear Mahatma: I recently drove on a newly blacktopped part of Interstate 40 near Russellville. In 40 years of driving, I've never heard a comparable road noise. Any idea if this noise is expected to be temporary or if the road will always sing to us this way? -- JB
Dear JB: We're told several things by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.
First, that your complaint is the first received.
Second, that the folks in District 8 are aware of the funkiness and have met with the contractors about it.
Third, that the pavement mix is similar to most other mixes.
Fourth, that some staffers believe the noise is abating as more traffic goes over the pavement. And the heat of spring and summer may settle down the noise further.
We also have a promise to be informed of any further developments.
Vanity plate seen on a small red car: SOBER 1. We suspect there's a story behind this license plate. Please share.
Mahatma@arkansasonline.com
Metro on 01/31/2015