| Author | Message | ||
     ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 1854 Registered: 5-2001  |
Actually, I just wear my hat with the Steve Martin arrow through it and no one bothers me now! | ||
| United STRAWBERRY of America Citizen Username: Strawberry Post Number: 1846 Registered: 10-2001  |
I really don't get bothered by the parking situation in town. Lucky for me I have a house within walking distance of the center so I just walk over instead. Despite the problem in the village, it still beats risking life and property on SA.  I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. | ||
| drewdix Citizen Username: Drewdix Post Number: 448 Registered: 7-2001 |
people waiting to pick people up at rush hour in the Ricalton parking lot could park nearby. Contrary to what I often hear, there is not a parking problem in Maplewood- that is, if you don't mind walking a block or two. | ||
| Tom Reingold Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 1877 Registered: 1-2003  |
So am I annoying people if I am sitting in my car, not in a parking space, in Ricalton parking lot? I'm ready to move out of anyone's way, and I keep an eye out for that. But I agree, drewdix, that there is generally enough parking within a block or two of any village destination. Tom Reingold the prissy-pants There is nothing | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2342 Registered: 9-2001 |
I believe I have a solution! Is it the only one? Well, no, but it’s the safest, fastest, easiest, and most identifiable response I can come up with to the problem... The best part is it can be done immediately without the township committee, the traffic committee, the Village Alliance, or any further discussion. Listen, the first concern here centers around the issue of public safety. From what has been said thus far, the standing and waiting of cars waiting to park is forcing some drivers to cross the double line into on coming traffic. It also blocks the view of other parking spots that might be further down the road. To begin with, we’re talking about the heaviest pedestrian crosswalk in the village; located directly in front of the US Post Office, Kings Market, the movie theater, and the train station parking lot. The sometimes almost continuous flow of traffic not only creates safety concerns, but also lends cause to shopper’s frustration and dissatisfaction with the village, which is a detriment to our local merchants. Several posters have already alluded to the fact that they avoid coming to the village for this reason. When public safety and traffic issues come into play, the answer becomes a police matter. In this case it won’t require a lot of extra time, money, or the use of special equipment. This can’t be a mechanized war; it must be fought on the streets and in the trenches, and we won’t need hundreds of troops either. Police cars would only add to the congestion already there. For that matter, the only equipment needed is a simple and inexpensive police whistle. Therefore, here’s my almost “Perfect Solution.” During elevated periods of traffic at this very congested location, we need to place a police officer to direct traffic from the sidewalk, on the east side of Maplewood Avenue, directly in front of the movie theater. From this specific location he/she can observe not only the traffic all along Maplewood Avenue from Durand to Highland, but the parking lot in front of the train station as well. With his trusty little whistle, the help of a couple small signs instructing drivers to keep the traffic moving, things should improve dramatically. (A footnote: The specific location of the police officer is key to this solution. To best implement this plan, an elevated, heated in winter, small police booth should be placed at this exact spot.) Before I forward a copy of this thread to our police chief, I think some old fashion MOL input would be helpful... | ||
| Tom Reingold Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 1881 Registered: 1-2003 |
I favor this approach, provided the officer blows his whistle in just one font. Tom Reingold the prissy-pants There is nothing | ||
| stefano Citizen Username: Stefano Post Number: 397 Registered: 2-2002  |
Those campaign limos really snarled up traffic, too. dr stefano | ||
| marian Citizen Username: Marian Post Number: 85 Registered: 9-2001 |
I think a police officer directing traffic in that spot would definitely help. While it doesn't bother me, I fear there will be complaints from folks who think a permanent police booth there would be an eyesore that suggests we need a permanent police presence there due to a high crime rate in the Village. I'm curious to know what other think about this. | ||
| Hank Zona Citizen Username: Hankzona Post Number: 937 Registered: 3-2002 |
Its unfortunate that alot of folks tolerate people parking illegally. I walk up to the car if they are seated in it, and they often are, and tell them, and reiterate, that they are parked illegally, especially if it is in the crosswalk. You know what, on a few occasions, they have moved, they usually dont, but maybe, just maybe, next time they will think twice. But if dozens of people stream by without saying a word, nothing is reinforced. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2343 Registered: 9-2001 |
Tom, don’t concern yourself about the font, just worry he doesn’t jump on his whistle and blow his horse. Dr. Stefano, those campaign limos are ready and waiting for you should you also decide to run for township committee… Marian, a permanent police booth there would be a constant reminder that vehicles should not stand and block traffic in that area. It’s the one location, more than anywhere else in the village that could use a full time police officer. It could be made to look attractive as well as functional. It also would serve several other interesting needs in the process. First, it would be a place to get immediate police assistance when needed, rather than looking and wondering where the police officer is. In between the occasional walks around town, when the booth is not manned, it would be a good idea to also have a direct emergency phone hook up there for the public to use if necessary. The location is also valuable being it would be located right in view of both banks and the post office. It also would be a great place to get directions, assist children and seniors crossing the street, and stay out of the rain but still be visible for assistance, and a deterrent to crime. Hank, “I walk up to the car if they are seated in it,” IMO, that’s not such a good idea. It can be very annoying to everyone on both sides of the problem, but even more important, very dangerous! Personally. I hate being told what to do, regardless of whether I’m breaking the law or not! Every person blocking traffic feels that that is their business, and that they are completely justified for doing it… Leave law enforcement to the professionals. There’s not one thing at all to be gained by telling people what to do or not to do. If they’re old enough to drive, they’re old enough to know right from wrong. | ||
| Tom Reingold Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 1887 Registered: 1-2003 |
Art, as Miss Manners says, the law is a blunt instrument. Having an officer deliver my message comes across as pretty strong. Asking someone to move out of the way is not telling him what to do. There are polite ways to ask. Tom Reingold the prissy-pants There is nothing | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2345 Registered: 9-2001 |
Tom, the officer can't be responsible for your listening, or anyone else’s. Our police officers are generally polite, plus enforcing the law is also not an option based on how people would like to be spoken to... BTW, tell Miss Manners for me that this is Maplewood, not Northern State Prison where officers have to speak sternly to make their point. Also tell her to think positive, not so negative, it's bad manners...  | ||
| Tom Reingold Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 1892 Registered: 1-2003 |
I realize that, Art. My point is that many of these violations are of both the law and etiquette. It's often "cheaper" to deal with them as etiquette violations. For instance, I was at a seminar on Sunday, and people behind me were talking. I turned around and said, "I'm sorry, but I can't hear the presentation." If I had gotten up and gotten some authority to tell them to quiet down, the stakes would have been raised. They apologized and stopped. It should be possible, in some cases, to ask someone to move along and clear a blockage, without calling an officer. And if they don't comply, then it might be time to call one. I favor starting out with speaking softly, then using a small stick, then a larger stick, should it be necessary. Tom Reingold the prissy-pants There is nothing | ||
| marian Citizen Username: Marian Post Number: 86 Registered: 9-2001 |
Art, Don't get me wrong. I'm not against setting up a booth there. I'm just speculating on what those who will be will argue. You make some very good points in favor it it, BTW. But will it really be as simple as asking the chief of police to set one up? I can't believe the Township Committee won't have to be involved in some way... | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2348 Registered: 9-2001 |
OK, Tom. I agree that your approach would be the ideal way to deal with this problem, however, in the real world this issue is more about, “Ideal vs, Real.” In the real world, very few, if anyone would have the time or inclination to give instructions or get out of their car, or if walking, to walk over to someone and tell them what to do. The violations we are talking about in this thread are real laws, not Miss Manner’s etiquette issues. The suggestion to use a police officer to handle these problems doesn’t mean you need to call one every time someone stops their car and blocks traffic. The point of all this is that the police officer would already be there on duty in his little shelter. The officer would in large measure all but eliminate this problem that "Mem" so eloquently brought to our attention. Listen, it may be possible sometimes to ask someone to move along and clear a blockage, without calling an officer. I too favor starting out with a soft approach to this problem. Having this discussion, and getting valuable input like yours is just that. | ||
| Hank Zona Citizen Username: Hankzona Post Number: 938 Registered: 3-2002 |
Art, Im not telling people what to do..I want to remind them that they are parking illegally. And in a busy crosswalk, it is beyond some selfish sense of entitlement..its dangerous. If people arent reminded that they are committing quality of life infractions/illegal actions, then they keep thinking its OK...or at least that its not such a big deal. Sure, its best coming from a police officer, but they cant always be there. And I agree -- people dont like being told what to do. They also dont like being reminded that theyre breaking the law and creating a dangerous situation for the sake of their laziness and convenience. So if that makes them feel uncomfortable, so be it..thats the intention. I promise to never tell you youve parked illegally, but I also know Id never have to. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2349 Registered: 9-2001 |
Marian… piece of cake! Trust me, when the Chief, the Mayor, and the rest of the township committee gets wind of this new “Perfect Solution”, they’ll be all over it like smell on flowers... I understand that there will always be the few to find fault, or argue with anything that requires the necessity of change. This slight tweak in the present system of having a patrol officer walk the village is much different than anything we’ve done here in town before. However, things have changed and so must we. As far as it being as simple as asking the police Chief, why not? It’s just a decision to direct one of his officers to locate himself where it would do the most amount of good for our residents. I doubt anyone would argue that having a police officer at this location during certain times of the day and early evening would help traffic flow much better, and add safety to all who need and use this area. BTW, standing in this elevated and lighted shelter would add safety and much needed viability for the officer standing or sitting in it. I also suspect you’re right about the township committee needing to approve the cost of the shelter. Thanks everyone, I think we’re "all" on to some great stuff here. This small little change in how we handle the problem of cars stopping in traffic to park in this area of the town could make an immediate improvement to the Traffic Flow, Pedestrian Safety, and Vehicle Parking for our entire village. After we get some more on-line input, I’ll pass this on to the Mayor and the chief and see what they think. If everyone thinks it’s a good idea, and it’s worth giving it a try, then lets not waste anymore time thinking about it!! Look, if need be, I’ll be happy to design it, build it, paint it, electrify it, install the communications in it, and I’ll even be willing to get in it and direct the God-damn traffic if necessary... | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2350 Registered: 9-2001 |
Hank, I understand what you want to do, but whatever your reason... you’re still telling people what to do, and listen, you and Tom go right ahead. It’s perfectly OK with me if that’s what you guys need to do! “I promise to never tell you you’ve parked illegally, but I also know I’d never have to.” WRONG HANK! I’ve been a boss to long, with me it’s mostly about do as I say, not as I do...  | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 899 Registered: 5-2001 |
Hank, can you do that in front of Tuscan too? I'll give you a dance on Saturday if you do! | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 291 Registered: 3-2003 |
I am with Tom and Hank on this one. There are too many who slide thru the laws. They almost always know what they are doing and dare - bluff- and know that they won't be called to account. Can't speak for Tom/Hank, but I note the person/s before I say anything. And there are instances where it's better to just pass the comment up. In dangerous driving situations, the cell phone to 911 is a great equalizer in alerting the police. I know, I know I will return from dinner and find BOLD, 300 point, italicized and red comments about my post. ( I should have waited until Thursday when the culprit returns late from his weekly club meeting) Oh well. |
