| Author | Message | ||
     Tom Reingold Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 1894 Registered: 1-2003  |
Please don't get me wrong. I really like your proposal, Art. My point about hesitating to use the law was really just a tangent. Tom Reingold the prissy-pants There is nothing | ||
| bix Citizen Username: Bix Post Number: 71 Registered: 5-2001 |
I'm damned sick of those shellfish drivers in front of Freeman's! | ||
| Tom Reingold Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 1895 Registered: 1-2003 |
Art for Township Committee! Tom Reingold the prissy-pants There is nothing | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2351 Registered: 9-2001 |
Tom, that was very generous of you to say that. Thank you. The problem is I've already run for township committee two years ago, and although I choose not to run again, I highly recommend the experience to anyone. I bump into people at least once or twice a week who greet me and tell me they had voted for me. Having over one thousand, six hundred people in your hometown go to the polls and pull a little lever for you is a very humbling feeling. I’m very grateful. FWIW, I’m pleased to personally know and be able to say with confidence that we have all good people on our township committee. I’m thankful to have also been given that same opportunity to serve our town as well. Last year, I got to repay my good fortune by doing all I could to support Ed and Joel, who both ran a good and hard fought campaign. This year I will do it again when Dave or Jamie Ross run...  Dave? Jamie? | ||
| jamie Moderator Username: Jamie Post Number: 432 Registered: 6-2001  |
Art, Dave is in South Orange. I've thought about running - but it is very likely that I would win - and I'd have to go to all the meetings and everything  Though saying I'm the Mayor of my town would be a great opening line to a standup routine. (BTW, I'll be doing standup in Hoboken tonight http://www.jamieross.com - if the snow clears and Mr. Ed May might be getting stage time. - sorry for the thread drift.) | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 1861 Registered: 5-2001  |
. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2352 Registered: 9-2001 |
Jamie, you are a winner, and you're right... what would a standup guy like you do, at all those damn, comical, sit-down meetings you would have to attend!!! BTW, we’ll try to get out to see you and Ed tonight… break-a-leg guys. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2355 Registered: 9-2001 |
OK, back to the topic... I checked the location today and it's perfect. The police shelter would fit nicely behind the sidewalk, between the bike rack, and the sidewalk leading into Rickelton Square. There are a few small yew shrubs and a garbage can that would need to be moved. Because there is no parking on Maplewood Avenue, from this location an officer can observe the traffic from Highland to Durand and beyond as far as Jefferson. The more I look at it, the advantage of making this a permanent location goes far beyond just keeping the traffic moving. I'm ready to move this idea forward. Does anyone else have any comments? | ||
| Tom Reingold Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 1906 Registered: 1-2003 |
My only comment is that this seems like a good idea. Tom Reingold the prissy-pants There is nothing | ||
| Hank Zona Citizen Username: Hankzona Post Number: 941 Registered: 3-2002 |
Since we have an auxiliary police program in town, is it feasible to have one of those folks stationed in town during peak traffic times (weekday lunch and Saturdays)? Until a more perfect solution can be administered, I'll still go and remind people they are illegally parked in crosswalks or remind them illegal left-turns in order to park and drop off a video are also dangerous. | ||
| ligeti Citizen Username: Ligeti Post Number: 58 Registered: 7-2002 |
I don't know if we need a permanent structure, but I do agree a policeman directing traffic in the middle of the street on weekends would effectively eliminate congestion in downtown Maplewood. The Wine Library in Short Hills gets its own traffic cop on weekends, why not us? And I still can't figure out why people choose to hold up traffic in the entire village instead of walk a block or two. The answer must be: "ME-ME-ME! I'M ALL THAT MATTERS!" | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2356 Registered: 9-2001 |
"Since we have an auxiliary police program in town, is it feasible to have one of those folks stationed in town during peak traffic times (weekday lunch and Saturdays)?" EXCELLENT IDEA HANK! Maplewood's auxiliary program needs a shot in the arm, and this could be an ideal way to attract interest for their recruitment program. "Until a more perfect solution can be administered..." Does this mean you're in favor of my "Perfect Solution", but until it's administered you'll police the town yourself? Well, great if it works for you Hank... just be careful. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2357 Registered: 9-2001 |
Ligeti, “I do agree a policeman directing traffic in the middle of the street on weekends would effectively eliminate congestion in downtown Maplewood.” Thank you... Listen, the primary idea of course is to keep the traffic moving and free up more parking spaces, but we must also protect our officers in the process. Having him stand in the middle of the street won’t work in the village. There’s not enough room in the middle of the street, and it’s too dangerous. A permanent location will keep the officer safe, dry, warm, totally visible to the public, and able to observe almost the entire length of the village and the train station from one location. Trust me, the public will love it, and so will the police officers who need to work the village. Hey, the officers can still make their rounds around town, but when there are periods of heavy activity around the train station and kings, they’ll be better able to manage it... Listen, I think you did figure out the answer to this problem! People choose to hold up traffic in the entire village because it’s just about them. People will always do what they feel they need to. Unfortunately, this human trait will never change, but placing a police presence in this location will gently help them do the right thing, or get a summons if they don’t... | ||
| themp Citizen Username: Themp Post Number: 427 Registered: 12-2001 |
great discussion everyone. | ||
| ligeti Citizen Username: Ligeti Post Number: 59 Registered: 7-2002 |
If a traffic cop can survive the streets of Manhattan (sure, the streets are wider but they have to contend with gobs more cars, taxis and huge trucks, going much, much faster) or in front of Wine Library, I can't imagine Maplewood Ave. would be terribly dangerous. OK, I'm not an expert on the topic, but I've got to believe the resulting slow down as vehicles approach downtown will make the job manageable. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2361 Registered: 9-2001 |
"I can't imagine Maplewood Avenue would be terribly dangerous." Really? So you think if a traffic cop can survive the streets of Manhattan, one of Maplewood's finest should brave the rain, snow, cold, and direct traffic in the middle of our narrow street... I think I have to agree with you, maybe you should figure out what your talking about, because it's obvious you're not an expert on the topic. And, while you're at it, why not stand in the middle of Maplewood Avenue and see if you still think the resulting slow down as vehicles approach downtown will make the job more manageable and less dangerous after standing there for a few hours. | ||
| CFA Citizen Username: Cfa Post Number: 1020 Registered: 5-2001  |
ligeti, Didn't you know that Art is the expert on every subject? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2363 Registered: 9-2001 |
Ligeti, Not expert, and not concerned about every subject... Knowledgeable yes, and focused on matters of consequence in our community! BTW, it would be nice to stay focused on the matter at hand, and not looking for trouble like some wise apples... | ||
| vor Citizen Username: Vor Post Number: 150 Registered: 9-2003 |
Art If you're looking for a count of yea's and nay's, count me as a Yea! I believe just the presence of a police officer will be enough to deter most people from the type of behavior indicated above. ALL IN FAVOR...... | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2365 Registered: 9-2001 |
YES, I’m looking for support for this idea, and thank you! Vor, you’re right, the mere presence of a police officer will be enough to deter most people from hanging out in traffic, and waiting for parking spaces, or their spouse to get off the train. Meanwhile, the primary reasons I favor a police shelter is it would protect the officer from the weather, he/she is safer and out of harms way, it will provide a better view of the areas of concern, and will also stand as a constant reminder to residents of their need to obey the law. Listen, I feel it could easily be designed to be an attractive and practical addition to our village. I’ve decided this morning to make the Chief and the Mayor aware of this thread, and will bring the matter to wide public attention at the next township committee. It would be helpful if anyone following this thread would chime in on one side or the other... |
