Letters to the Editor 07-30-2001
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Traffic Rules - Dog Killed - Hand Street Viaduct - Paving Problems - Accidental Death
Traffic Rules
Editor, Times-Union:We winter in Florida and while there I read an article in the News Herald, the paper in Panama City, Fla. I cut it out as I thought it was interesting and true. I didn't think much more about it until my husband and I left Bob Evans last Tuesday evening. We stopped at the light at Center and U.S. 30; when it turned green, we proceeded to cross U.S. 30. Traffic had stopped both ways and we were almost in the center of the street when a car pulling a flat bed trailer proceeded around traffic and missed us by a very tiny margin. If my husband had not slammed on the brakes, we would have been history.
This brought the article back to my mind and I thought maybe some of your readers might be interested in it. Fact: "You can't be too careful." I also believe these rules are most probably nationwide.
"After 17 years, the rules are obvious. Our County Commission should put a sign at every entrance to Bay County that reads: Driving Rules in Bay County: 1. Signal lights use in vehicles is optional; 2. Speed limit on residential roads is 55 mph; 3. Slow vehicles and trucks shall use the left lane; 4. Tailgating and zigzagging through traffic are mandatory; 5. If you use the turn signal, wait until you are starting to turn; 6. If talking on the cell phone, get on the left lane and slow down, it is safer; 7. Yellow lights mean go faster, red means pedal to the metal; 8. Upon entering traffic on a four-lane highway, get in the left lane and slow down; 9. Don't worry about the cops as they are following these rules too; 10. Seat belt use is not required, especially for children; 11. When driving slow on the left lane, hit your brakes every five seconds, this will let drivers behind you know they are too close; 12. Left turn on a four-lane highway from the right-hand lane without looking is allowed; 13. Parking in the disabled parking spot is OK if you are in a hurry; 14. Lane changing by mirror-only is mandatory, never mind looking to see if a car is in your blind spot; and 15. Turning your signal lights on gives you the right to changes lanes without looking at all. I lived here for 17 years and these proposed rules are standard driving behavior I have observed since I moved here." Carlos M. Castillo, Panama City
Marjorie Fulton
Pierceton
Dog Killed
Editor, Times-Union:We did receive a call the next day from the driver that I believe struck and killed my dog. This is what the man said to my wife. "You have a lot of nerve! If you would have tied your dog up that (expletive) would not happen." First of all you talked to the wrong person. I am the one who wrote the letter. Second, I can tell by your choice of words and attitude that you are an insensitive and uncaring individual. Third, you missed the whole point. Nobody blames you. It really was not your fault. I just wish you had a little common courtesy. If I would have accidentally hit and killed your dog I would stop and apologize. I guess that is the difference between you and me. By the way, you still have my telephone number to apologize.
Joe T. Shepherd
Warsaw
via e-mail
Hand Street Viaduct
Editor, Times-Union:On Friday afternoon, July 6, my wife, grandchildren and I had an unfortunate accident upon entering the Hand Street viaduct in Warsaw. Our older travel trailer had traveled through the viaduct several times without incident, but not our newer one. We would like to personally thank the investigating police officers (one named Officer Joe Hawn) who were so professional and kind. Also, kudos to the street department for their prompt help picking up and hauling away the debris. Understandably, the viaduct clearance has gradually decreased due to additional paving over the years. With the frequency of accidents at said site, perhaps it would be beneficial to prohibit trucks and trailers from transversing this viaduct.
Dr. & Mrs. William R. Border
Lafayette
Paving Problems
Editor, Times-Union:Much to my chagrin, on July 24th, the day my letter was published, my "paving problems" were solved. Rob Ladson's crew came through, did they ever!
Not only did they straighten out my property, they came to my door and asked me how I would like it done. Hmmm, I wonder if someone whispered in their ear. ...
Regardless, they did an outstanding job, with which I am extremely pleased! I am happy to once again be able to stand up for the people whose salaries our tax dollars pay.
I feel that I can speak for all the residents of Chicken Tracks (the unofficial name of the village on CR 550S and the surrounding area) when I say thank-you to the Kosciusko County Highway Department for a job well done throughout our area.
Jim R. Smith
Warsaw
Accidental Death
Editor, Times-Union:I am in the Navy and stationed on board the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk in Yokosuka Japan and read the paper off the Internet every day so that I can find out what is happening back home. You printed an article on July 23, 2001, about Seth Conley's death that really upset me. Seth was my cousin, and the way that the article was written made it sound like he was a drunk kid who was stupid and thought that he was invincible. This article was totally wrong and I want the community back home to know that Seth was a fun loving, happy-go-lucky guy who always went out of his way to make someone's day better before he thought about himself. This article just caused more grief and pain for the family members, especially me, because I read the article before I talked to the family and I don't want him to be remembered that way. I want everyone to remember the Seth that we knew, not the one that they read about in the paper.
AS3 Matthew Wm. Trump, USN
U.S.S. Kitty Hawk CV-63
United States Navys 7th Fleet
Yokosuka, Japan
Editor's note: As to the accuracy of the story on Seth Conley's accidental death, the information we printed was obtained from the police department.
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- Traffic Rules - Dog Killed - Hand Street Viaduct - Paving Problems - Accidental Death
Traffic Rules
Editor, Times-Union:We winter in Florida and while there I read an article in the News Herald, the paper in Panama City, Fla. I cut it out as I thought it was interesting and true. I didn't think much more about it until my husband and I left Bob Evans last Tuesday evening. We stopped at the light at Center and U.S. 30; when it turned green, we proceeded to cross U.S. 30. Traffic had stopped both ways and we were almost in the center of the street when a car pulling a flat bed trailer proceeded around traffic and missed us by a very tiny margin. If my husband had not slammed on the brakes, we would have been history.
This brought the article back to my mind and I thought maybe some of your readers might be interested in it. Fact: "You can't be too careful." I also believe these rules are most probably nationwide.
"After 17 years, the rules are obvious. Our County Commission should put a sign at every entrance to Bay County that reads: Driving Rules in Bay County: 1. Signal lights use in vehicles is optional; 2. Speed limit on residential roads is 55 mph; 3. Slow vehicles and trucks shall use the left lane; 4. Tailgating and zigzagging through traffic are mandatory; 5. If you use the turn signal, wait until you are starting to turn; 6. If talking on the cell phone, get on the left lane and slow down, it is safer; 7. Yellow lights mean go faster, red means pedal to the metal; 8. Upon entering traffic on a four-lane highway, get in the left lane and slow down; 9. Don't worry about the cops as they are following these rules too; 10. Seat belt use is not required, especially for children; 11. When driving slow on the left lane, hit your brakes every five seconds, this will let drivers behind you know they are too close; 12. Left turn on a four-lane highway from the right-hand lane without looking is allowed; 13. Parking in the disabled parking spot is OK if you are in a hurry; 14. Lane changing by mirror-only is mandatory, never mind looking to see if a car is in your blind spot; and 15. Turning your signal lights on gives you the right to changes lanes without looking at all. I lived here for 17 years and these proposed rules are standard driving behavior I have observed since I moved here." Carlos M. Castillo, Panama City
Marjorie Fulton
Pierceton
Dog Killed
Editor, Times-Union:We did receive a call the next day from the driver that I believe struck and killed my dog. This is what the man said to my wife. "You have a lot of nerve! If you would have tied your dog up that (expletive) would not happen." First of all you talked to the wrong person. I am the one who wrote the letter. Second, I can tell by your choice of words and attitude that you are an insensitive and uncaring individual. Third, you missed the whole point. Nobody blames you. It really was not your fault. I just wish you had a little common courtesy. If I would have accidentally hit and killed your dog I would stop and apologize. I guess that is the difference between you and me. By the way, you still have my telephone number to apologize.
Joe T. Shepherd
Warsaw
via e-mail
Hand Street Viaduct
Editor, Times-Union:On Friday afternoon, July 6, my wife, grandchildren and I had an unfortunate accident upon entering the Hand Street viaduct in Warsaw. Our older travel trailer had traveled through the viaduct several times without incident, but not our newer one. We would like to personally thank the investigating police officers (one named Officer Joe Hawn) who were so professional and kind. Also, kudos to the street department for their prompt help picking up and hauling away the debris. Understandably, the viaduct clearance has gradually decreased due to additional paving over the years. With the frequency of accidents at said site, perhaps it would be beneficial to prohibit trucks and trailers from transversing this viaduct.
Dr. & Mrs. William R. Border
Lafayette
Paving Problems
Editor, Times-Union:Much to my chagrin, on July 24th, the day my letter was published, my "paving problems" were solved. Rob Ladson's crew came through, did they ever!
Not only did they straighten out my property, they came to my door and asked me how I would like it done. Hmmm, I wonder if someone whispered in their ear. ...
Regardless, they did an outstanding job, with which I am extremely pleased! I am happy to once again be able to stand up for the people whose salaries our tax dollars pay.
I feel that I can speak for all the residents of Chicken Tracks (the unofficial name of the village on CR 550S and the surrounding area) when I say thank-you to the Kosciusko County Highway Department for a job well done throughout our area.
Jim R. Smith
Warsaw
Accidental Death
Editor, Times-Union:I am in the Navy and stationed on board the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk in Yokosuka Japan and read the paper off the Internet every day so that I can find out what is happening back home. You printed an article on July 23, 2001, about Seth Conley's death that really upset me. Seth was my cousin, and the way that the article was written made it sound like he was a drunk kid who was stupid and thought that he was invincible. This article was totally wrong and I want the community back home to know that Seth was a fun loving, happy-go-lucky guy who always went out of his way to make someone's day better before he thought about himself. This article just caused more grief and pain for the family members, especially me, because I read the article before I talked to the family and I don't want him to be remembered that way. I want everyone to remember the Seth that we knew, not the one that they read about in the paper.
AS3 Matthew Wm. Trump, USN
U.S.S. Kitty Hawk CV-63
United States Navys 7th Fleet
Yokosuka, Japan
Editor's note: As to the accuracy of the story on Seth Conley's accidental death, the information we printed was obtained from the police department.
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