Safety is worth transportation fixes

In reading several recent reports of traffic deaths in Columbus involving pedestrians and bicyclists, and the Dispatch March 9 editorial on new bicycle-safety rules, I see progress and also gross failure. Making the driving safety distance of 3 feet from a bike mandatory is smart and long overdue. Leaving major streets without either sidewalks or multi-use paths is to invite the recent deadly accidents on Refugee and Morse roads where a pedestrian and a bicyclist on the roadway or berm were killed by passing cars.

Another example is bus passengers often seen waiting on the berm of places like Refugee Road, completely exposed to speeding traffic. Either install sidewalks or set a lower speed limit, say 10 mph, so those inevitably to be struck by cars will have a fair chance of survival.

Now the standard story from those managing our transportation systems is that there is not enough money. Tell that to the families of the victims. I certainly wouldn’t buy it. The old saw that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time is bunk, because fixes are obvious and within the resources of our state.

Raise the gasoline tax and fix the dangerous stuff. Raise it enough that a share can be given to cities to do what is needed to protect their residents. If we are going to maintain and properly expand our transportation infrastructure, including sidewalks and bike paths, the state gasoline tax should be increased by 25 to 35 cents per gallon and funds directed to lifesaving improvements.

It’s hard to believe that our leaders can read day after day about these deaths and not feel that they are responsible for doing something about it.

David Pritchard Columbus the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives to have Pickerington named “Violet Capital of Ohio” because of the profusion of violets in the area. During our presentations, we also presented the idea of a Violet Festival. Both were approved.

Karen and I envisioned not a carnival, but an upscale event. Carnival rides were acceptable, but not the focal point of our creation.

I am proud that the festival has been in existence for 18 years, even with its challenges. The final downfall of the festival was putting all faith in one sponsor. Marketing 101 will tell you to have several large sponsors for an event. Second, large national musical acts are great if you can afford them.

The festival could survive if the board members would regroup, pay off the debts, do some serious marketing, and have a responsible eye on finances. Definitely not a carnival. This would be a good start to reshape the event into one that will endure for years to come.

Right now, I am disappointed the event we imagined long ago has been killed.

Jill Ann Ladrick Pickerington