It’s Time For Traffic Signals

At The Flagpole

To the Editor:

Since we moved to Newtown in 1982, it seems hardly a month goes by that I have not read in The Bee that there has been yet another accident at the flagpole. Frankly, this intersection has become an embarrassment to our fine town.

What is going to wake up “borough officials” so adamantly opposed to traffic signals? It should not have to take a flaming car wreck with loss of lives to bring us to the inevitable conclusion that traffic is worsening and this dangerous intersection problem must be sensibly resolved. As anyone who travels up Church Hill Road knows, at busy times you want to avoid taking a left hand turn at the flagpole; it’s just too dangerous and almost foolhardy. A right hand turn is almost as dangerous.

Traffic cones, solid white lines (almost completely ignored), an empty police cruiser parked near the flagpole and the like will not solve the problem.

I agree with Police Chief Kehoe; the flagpole intersection should be reconfigured and traffic signals installed. As our town’s chief safety officer, why are we not listening to him? I am sure this project could be accomplished so as not to “degrade the area’s historic aspect” and keep our “borough officials” happy.

We should put public safety first and stop all this nonsense before it is too late.

If our “borough officials” don’t/won’t/can’t be in agreement with Chief Kehoe, I propose that this matter be brought to a town referendum to let the people decide.

If we can put a man on the moon in ’69 we surely should be able to fix the flagpole intersection in ’09!

Sincerely,

Frederick G. Roy

Brushy Hill Road, Newtown                                            June 16, 2009