As we move forward, I thought it might help to centralize as many ideas as possible - no matter how realistic or affordable - so that no stone is left unturned. I've added them to my blog; feel free to extract ideas for discussion here if you'd like or you can comment there and I'll work them into the posts.
http://protectoakridgekids.blogspot.com/
Trina
I have read your proposals and find them extremely pro active. Some are a little far fetched but at least you are brain storming. When I moved here the bus was .40 each trip. I know that right now that is not a possibility but talking to the state to have it changed back to the way it was could possibly help the situation. We need to keep our children safe but have to be realistic in the process.
Excellent starting point. I hope everyone else will throw in an idea or two, and remember the first rule of brainstorming: it's not about weeding out what won't work... it's about putting down a whole bunch of ideas.
My 2 cents for what it worth with inflation. It will cause a litte bit of walking but not a lot. Instead of the busses runing and stopping several times in a neighborhood have a central pick up point in the neighborhood. yes the kids will have to walk a little but it will be in their own neighborhood. Have the pick up points along major routes (no not the Turn Pike or illinious Ave, those 2 roads should be off limits). You know like Outer Dr and Georgia Ave or like Tennesse and Florida. It would keep the buses moving along these routes and keep them from driving extra miles down through the neighborhoods(should cut some fuel costs). I know most of the buses do this kinda now with dead end streets(no place to turn around) but there are loops that they don't really have to make.
These routes would need to be laid out by the Transportation Dept but I am confident they can do it. Any thing has got to be better than what it is now.
It was suggested (in a comment today ref: the Oak Ridger article on making our city more pedestrian friendly) that the "Walking Man" head up these efforts. If you see him or know him, please let him know how desperately we need his input! I found that a few days at one intersection does not sufficiently expose the myriad of problems pedestrians and drivers face - nor did a few months. His insight would be invaluable!
December 17th is when the city manager is to submit ideas to council on improved traffic safety. Please send your suggestions directly to him at JOConnor@cortn.org. You can also submit them to all city council members via
http://www.cortn.org/mailme/councilmail.htm
I don't have much time, but wanted to share some great news I just received from Bill Nolan (our local lobbyist). He has been working with Rep. Hackworth and the state attorney and they are introducing 2, possibly 3, pieces of legislation based on some of the brainstorming ideas (
http://protectoakridgekids.blogspot.com/...rming.html)
If I understood correctly, they may be submitted as early as today.
I'll get a detailed update from him later and will post to my blog. This is very encouraging news to say the least. Rep. Hackworth expressed to Mr. Nolan that that many of our ideas have great potential. Woo hoo!
Trina,
Good luck getting the walking man to do anything. I have waved at him for nearly 18 years with no response. I heard a mystic say that if you catch the walking man and touch his beard, you will live forever. Rumor has it that the walking man is a twin, thus twice the chance at immortality, i guess. You may have better luck with a leprechaun. I do applaud thinking outside the box.
We have some significant activities occurring this week that I hope you will support.
On the local level, the issue of red light cameras is on tomorrow night's council agenda (as discussed by Ellen
here)
And at the state level, one of Rep Hackworth's and Sen McNally's bills is going to the floor (as discussed
here).
A lot of progress has been made and I am so very grateful to all who have worked towards increasing our children's safety. But there is still much to do, and as I've stated many times before, it will take multiple solutions to ensure our children's safety en route to and from school, not the least of which are measures such as these.