Safety issue on Old Greenwich roads
Greenwich voters are fortunate that a mechanism exists to provide a choice in electing the Board of Education.
To the editor,
Safety has become a major safety issue in Old Greenwich on both Highview and Park Avenues as increasingly both streets become primary cutthroughs to avoid Sound Beach Avenue traffic.
Our beautifully paved new streets include “regulation” 3inch raised speed bumps. The smooth pavement enhances speeding and the reality is that these speed bumps, along with unattractive warning 25 MPH and “Bump” signage do nothing to stop cars speeding.
Pedestrian accidents have occurred as recently as this morning!
When residents from both avenues email the Traffic Department we are told that regulation will not permit higher bumps and police may be posted — temporarily from time to time as they have been in the past — to no avail.
Twenty years ago a Highview neighbor and I got together a signed petition from Highview residents for speed bumps. We went to the Traffic Department. We were told regulation would not permit bumps! Highview was given 25 mph traffic signs instead — and even then we asked for 15 mph. The speeding continues to date even with signs, subsequent speed bumps and accidents.
These are not cranky complaints from curmudgeons with nothing else to do. They are legitimate residents’ safety concerns confirmed by accidents.
If speeders don’t respect safety, signs and low, ineffective speed bumps, then other measures must be taken to provide safety for the greater good. More and higher bumps and fences on side streets perhaps?
As a Founding Father said: “Nothing is written in stone.” Regulations can and should be changed to embrace safety and popular opinion. Monica Prihoda District 6 Old Greenwich
Give voters a choice
Dear editor,
The League of Women Voters of Greenwich believes that voters should have a choice of candidates when voting for local offices. Such choice is limited when selecting members of the Board of Selectmen and nonexistent when voting for the Board of Estimate and Taxation, unless third party or independent candidates have qualified.
Greenwich voters are fortunate that a mechanism exists to provide a choice in electing the Board of Education. Town Committees are permitted to nominate up to twice the number of candidates as there are openings on the board. We urge the Town Committees to provide such choice to our voters by nominating the extra candidates for the board.
The Board of Education is a critical part of our town government. Recent rapid changes in the school administration leadership point to the need to carefully examine the proposed board candidates and their plans for guiding our schools. A vigorous discussion among the nominated candidates is needed.
In turn, the League will provide nonpartisan forums to enable the public to meet the candidates and listen to their views. We will also publish the usual nonpartisan Voters Guide to present the candidates to the voting public.