Letters to the Editor, April 3
Published 9:49 am Friday, April 3, 2009
Stop signs
They’re needed
I have already stated at a Poulsbo City Council meeting that I, as a resident of Poulsbo, and as a daily driver and consumer in downtown Poulsbo, and as a person with disabilities that cause me difficulty in walking, applaud and appreciate the new stop signs. And yes, I drive safely because it’s my left foot that’s the problem.
Janetmarie Valiga
Poulsbo
State budget
Kitsap’s legislators in a tough financial bind
We appreciate you, Reps. Rolfes, Appleton and Rockefeller, for holding public discussions about the state’s budget crisis. We are disappointed, however, to read that each of you are waiting to see how the wind blows before you advocate for state income taxes. We have empathy for the political realities you face, but we elected you to lead. If you believe that an income tax is a good solution to state revenue problems, then please advocate, educate your constituents to understand the issues and be the leaders we all need you to be and expect you to be. These are not times to be tentative or self-protective. We must be bold and, if necessary, sacrifice to resolve our very serious problems.
Cris Craig and Brian Steely
Poulsbo
Downtown traffic
There’s more to be done
When I originally heard about all the stop signs that were to be placed all over old town, I was not for them. It sounded as though someone was trying to drive a pet project through despite what the citizens felt.
At first I found the new stops annoying. There seemed way more than necessary to meet the purposes espoused. However, in a short time, I found the traffic experts had a point. I found driving on the side streets that cross major intersections easier to traverse. Children could walk along the sidewalks and, being children, play and make silly mistakes that cause them to trip into a street, not cause major traffic problems, or them getting run over. When I go to drive across the major roads now, I have less stress looking for the traffic barreling down on me.
The study obviously hit the problem on the money. Go traffic pros. Speaking of, on the first nice day (sunny), my wife and I decided to peruse the shops on Front Street. I dropped her off and it took three times through the parking area by the marina park to find a parking space. So there may be trouble with people not spending money but we seem to have enough visitors to fill up our parking spaces fully.
Now I would like to know why we are not trying to re-energize our downtown by getting our landlords down there to remodel or tear down those unsalvageable buildings by giving them a break and rewarding their efforts to improve our city instead of them back. Mrs. Mayor, what about that?
Ron Savage
Poulsbo
Thank you
Bicyclist gives shout out to those who helped
About two weeks ago, I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle in Poulsbo. The cause of the accident was inattentive driving on the part of the driver of the car. My injuries were serious but not life-threatening and my bike suffered some damage in the collision. I was very lucky. I would like to express my thanks to the witnesses who stopped to help me and to the Poulsbo Police and NK paramedics who responded to the scene.
Spring is here with improved weather conditions and it is possible that more people will be riding bicycles to save money on transportation. So it seems to me like a good time to remind both cyclists and motor vehicle drivers of some important safety considerations.
Cyclists: Follow the rules of the road. Stop at stop signs and signal your intention. Wear your helmet and high-visibility clothing. Don’t talk on your cell phone (I’ve seen this) and don’t use electronic music devices while riding. Use flashers and/or lights if you are riding where there is low visibility, like darkness and fog. Keep your bike in good working condition.
Motor vehicle drivers: Follow the rules of the road. Give that cyclist enough room whether there is a bike lane or not. Be patient, it will not make a difference in your life if you get somewhere five minutes faster if the tradeoff is endangering a cyclist. Concentrate on your driving — don’t talk on your cell phone. Drive alertly and defensively — keeping in mind that when it comes to size, a cyclist is no match for a car.
I am thankful I am alive to be able to write this letter. Cyclists and motorists each have responsibilities and rights. Please take this advice to heart. A cyclist could be your parent, your partner, your child, your neighbor or your friend. Let’s look out for each other.
Mary Tillotson
Poulsbo
City Hall
At the March 18 city council meeting, while refocusing on the architectural drawing of the new city hall, I realized there is no provision in its plan for the relocation of the Ida Knudson Memorial Fountain, which has graced the front of the present city hall since 1968.
I asked the mayor what disposition the city intended for it and she said some suitable site would be found for it somewhere in the city.
May I suggest to the mayor the obvious “suitable” site for it would be in front of the new city hall.
Why should a cherished Poulsbo memorial, dedicated to a lady whose life-long efforts improved the lives in our community, be relegated to just “somewhere in the city.”
Muriel Williams
Poulsbo
