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Speed humps can be a bumpy ride for
residents, council
By Gail Paparian
Attending a Banning City Council meeting can be
often times informative and occasionally amusing. While I attend many of
the council and redevelopment agency meetings, I tend to prefer watching
it on television at home. There, I can throw a pillow at the set when I
hear or see something that defies logic or good sense.
Why throw a pillow? Some of the discussions lead to health altering
situations, including BBS (Boiling Blood Syndrome). Besides, if I used
my award winning pitching arm and hurled anything heavier than a pillow;
I would do irreparable damage to an expensive television set.
A recent council meeting caused me to sit on my left arm. Council and
staff were discussing the use of speed humps. As Councilwoman Barbara
Hanna said in a recent email, “As you heard, I asked for research that
proves that speed humps actually work. I haven't seen any but, of
course, I am not an expert. Ed (Ball, Hanna's husband) is more
knowledgeable and suggests there may be reason to doubt their efficacy.
I'm eager to learn and if I am wrong that would be great to know.”
That is interesting. Ms. Hanna indicates she is eager to learn, but does
not indicate that further facts would change her mind. She often says,
“I am not an expert but....” Everyone has a right to opine. That is why
I write this opinion column and that's what letters to editors are for.
If Ms. Hanna is merely opining, her voting colleagues, staff and the
public at large should consider her views as just that ... her views ...
not facts set in stone.
This particular discussion centered around residents on a stretch of
Wesley Street requesting speed humps on their block to protect the
safety of people of all ages; not just the youngsters in their
neighborhood. This was obviously a concern to these folks long before
the County of Riverside planned putting a new road through their
neighborhood to ease traffic going to the county correctional facility.
Personally, if I was a resident of this area, I would not be happy about
bisecting a peaceful community with a road (that runs between houses) to
a jail! It is my understanding, that people who lived on Wesley were
forced to take matters into their own hands.
Having no ” traffic
calming devices” like speed humps, residents were forced to paint
several notices that the speed limit was 35 mph. Apparently their
efforts of concern have not been completely successful, as their street
is still used as a raceway and only likely to get worse when the city
repaves the street and the road to the jail is finished.
Banning Police Chief Leonard Purvis said: “I am fully supportive of
speed humps. Whenever and wherever we have installed them, they have
been effective and we have received fewer complaints.” Purvis went on to
say that when such a situation arises, they convene the traffic safety
committee. They determine whether the majority of the community wants it
and if so, he goes to the council to seek permission. Purvis also said,
“it is cost effective for us, as we cannot be there at all times.”
While that makes sense to me, I then contacted Duane Burk, public works
director for the City of Banning. He said, “speed humps are a final
solution to a consistent speeder. I am not a fan of them because of
maintenance and upkeep but they seem to make the driver slow down and I
am supportive of solving problems.”
A reader of “...in the real world...” offered the following comments
which prompted me to write this column:
“You are driving down the street. In the distance you can see what
appears to be a slight hump in the road. This hump may or may not have
diagonal lines through it in white or yellow. Or, you are driving down
the same street and in the distance you can see what appears to be a
slight dip in the road. This dip may or may not be identified by a
diamond shaped yellow sign with the words “dip” on it.... Quick....What
do you do? Speed up or slow down?”
If you answered anything but slow down, be certain to read the DMV
manual before you take your next driver's test.
The speed humps on Nicolet Street, particularly in front of the school,
have been effective. Observers have indicated that with the humps, the
reduction of vehicle speed has been dramatic.
While these observations may have no scientific validity, they seem to
be accurate. Does the city need to spend another $100,000 for a study
for what seems already obvious? I think these observations speak for
themselves plus the city has saved when seems to be the favorite number
for consultant studies.... $100,000. String 10 of these together and it
has saved the city a cool $1 million.
I suspect I will be writing more about this when the budget process
wends its way through committee and staff and the public gets a chance
to view and comment on it. It promises to be interesting, as I would
rather see the financial wizards of Banning find a way to run the city
into solvency rather than tax the citizens more .
Back to the speed humps.
The council voted 4-1 (with Barbara Hanna opposing) to install the speed
humps.
The only thing that needs deciding is whether they go in before or after
the road is repaved. Safety should always come first but if the road is
to be done in the immediate future (and that is not in dog years),
financial prudence would be installing the humps after the roadwork is
done.
This item was listed on the council's consent calendar of the agenda,
which speeds things through to a vote. Consent calendar items are
generally considered by the city to be routine matters Making their
speed humps a discussion item would have been a courtesy to the people
who live on Wesley Street.
I understand that the powers that be in finance have made a cost cutting
savings; they have decided NOT to issue name badges to members who serve
on the Economic Development Committee. These volunteers (myself
included), donate hundreds of personal hours to help make Banning a
better place to “live, work and play.”
An identification badge indicates that the powers of finance have
respect for the people representing the city by giving them name
identification when they go on a city mission.
It is the only professional, logical, cheap way to promote Banning.
I even volunteered to purchase my own badge! I wonder whether council
members and staff have to pay for their logo shirts and badges. This is
a question for another time and another column.
Email Gail at:
info@writingsolutions.com
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