Connie Sirman is hoping a little squeaking will get some answers about the condition of Monroe Street. Sirman wants something done about the condition of the street and the railroad track that runs down its middle, but no one knows for sure who is responsible for the road’s upkeep.

Sirman said she has been trying for several years to have the road repaired.

&uot;When we first moved here, we heard the track was coming up,&uot; Sirman said. But, time and numerous phone calls to several city and railroad agencies, the road only further deteriorated.

Sirman said officials from Illinois Central Railroad, which owns the track, initially told her the city handled the road’s maintenance, and city officials told her the same of the railroad.

&uot;It’s kind of like pushing peas around on a plate,&uot; she said. &uot;Somebody needs to take responsibility.

&uot;What’s the saying? The squeaky wheel gets the oil? It’s time for us to squeak,&uot; she said.

A recent conversation with one of the company’s track supervisors yielded more promising answers.

&uot;It’s something they want to get rid of,&uot; Sirman said. &uot;It’s kind of the stepchild of the railroad company.&uot;

But, as long as the rail is in use, the company is obligated to keep the track open.

The track goes largely unused except for an occasional load serving Titan Tire of Natchez.

David Fines, Titan Tire operations manager, said the trains normally run every seven to 10 days.

&uot;I sympathize very deeply with the people that live on Monroe Street, and I hope that the city or railroad can do something about it,&uot; Fines said, adding Titan Tire is not responsible for maintaining the tracks.

City Engineer David Gardner said the right-of-way for the track was deeded to a different railroad company in the mid to late 1800s.

As part of the ordinance, the railroad company must keep the road &uot;safe and passable,&uot; but that can be difficult to define when dealing with automobiles instead of horse-and-buggies, Gardner said.

A similar ordinance dated April 5, 1886, states &uot;the rails shall be so laid that carriages and vehicles can easily and freely cross said track at any and all points thereof with the least obstruction possible.&uot;

Gardner said it has been two years since Illinois Central performed any repair on the road and track.

At that time, the city &uot;pitched in&uot; and helped provide asphalt to fill potholes and the railroad company replaced some of the crossties.

Public Works Director Richard Burke said he routinely fills in potholes along the street, but it is a temporary fix.

&uot;I wish (the track) wasn’t there at all,&uot; Burke said, adding that the railroad company has not upheld its duties to maintain the track.

&uot;They should have inspectors come and look at the track no matter where they are,&uot; he said.

Tammi Mullins, Natchez Downtown Development Association, agrees that someone needs to step up and repair the road and track.

&uot;If there are no plans, they need to get something in the works,&uot; Mullins said.

While she does not believe the route to be dangerous, it is inconvenient and unattractive.

&uot;Especially with it being right there by Stanton Hall,&uot; Mullins said.