A Roadmap

To Safety

To the Editor:

I read Mr Walczak’s letter to The Bee [“Traffic Management: Do It Once, Do It Right,” January 26, 2007] and agree that we need a comprehensive traffic management plan that benefits all of Newtown. We need to address safety, speeding, and enforcement. Mr Walczak suggested that there is a major role in developing this plan for the Police Commission, the Legislative Council and the residents. I would like to build on that suggestion.

The Police Commission has to identify who on the commission will lead the effort to develop a townwide plan to deal with these issues.

1. Who has the background, the skills, and the willingness to spearhead the research and dialogue on a plan which will benefit the entire town and not simply one group of residents or a couple of friends?

2. What is the Police Commission’s policy on speeding, how much over the posted speed limit warrants a ticket verses a warning and how much effort will be devoted to speed control? When a ticket is given and posted in the paper why not also explain what the proper driving practice should have been, using every opportunity to educate the residents?

3. Why doesn’t the Police Commission test a stop sign on Queen Street slowing down traffic as it enters both Glover Avenue and southern Queen Street? Why did the Police Commission raise the speed limit in front of the middle school from 15 mph to 25 mph when everyone is trying to slow down the traffic? Why, after all these studies, is the crossing sign in front of the middle school on the wrong side of the pedestrian crossing, thereby blocking the drivers’ ability to even see if anyone is trying to cross?

The Legislative Council has a key role in this plan.

1. Who will the council appoint to oversee the development of a townwide plant to manage traffic today and into the future?

2. How will the council make sure any ordinances on traffic calming benefits and is available to the entire town, are affordable, and make sense for all the residents whom drive on our roads?

3. Is the Legislative Council willing to fund a Drivers Education and Zero Tolerance program immediately in Newtown? When will we have the ability to use camera to monitor speeders and issue electronic tickets?

The residents have a very important role in developing a plan.

1. Will the council appoint residents to participate who are informed, objective, interested, and most importantly willing to stand up to the political pressures that seem to be at work in our community?

2. Which town officials will participate and who will they serve, the residents of Newtown or the political process?

3. Are the residents of Newtown willing to slow down for the safety of all?

Sincerely:

Paul Morris

Glover Avenue, Newtown                                         February 15, 2007