Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - Pedestrian and bike safety is an issue Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce President Tim Yeager said he is concerned about in Syracuse.
The issue came up in discussion during chamber director Shelly Bickel's report on the town board meeting. Bickel said there are four crosswalks in town with white crossbars. If a pedestrian is crossing at one of those crossings and a vehicle doesn't stop, the driver can be ticketed.
"It truly gives the pedestrians the right of way," Yeager said.
He said in England, as well as in some cities on the East Coast, laws regarding crosswalks have been in place for years and enforced.
A chamber member asked if vehicles had to stop for bicycles in the crosswalk.
Yeager said bicyclists are supposed to walk their bikes across at crosswalks and vehicles should stop for them. "Bicycle safety has been a concern of mine for years and no one has addressed it," he said. He said children in Syracuse are not taught anything about bike safety. Motorists are also unaware of rules regarding bicyclists.
"They don't realize if a cyclist is in the same lane, they're supposed to be given the same rights as a vehicle," Yeager said.
He said bike safety may be something the chamber may want to do something about.
"I think it's a big need in this community and we'd need to work with the schools somehow," Yeager said.
In other business:
• The chamber has 136 members paid to date.
• Bickel said the chamber's chicken barbecue Aug. 7 raised $670.
• Bill Beemer reported the golf outing Sept. 8 has approximately 16 teams already registered. The outing will benefit the chamber and will be at South Shore Golf Course. The rain date is scheduled for Sept. 15. Cost is $50 per person, $200 per team. Cost covers a cart, a meal and golfing. Tee times will be at 1 p.m. with awards at the conclusion of the outing.
• The annual chamber dinner is Nov. 4 at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club. Cost is $22.50 per person and includes a buffet and cash bar. Tips and taxes are included. A magician will perform.
• The chamber's strategy meetings will be Dec. 7 and 8 at 7 a.m. in the chamber meeting room. Yeager said they will discuss, "Where do you want your chamber to head in 2000 and how do you want to get there?"
• Stacy Anderson said there will be a public meeting at the Syracuse Town Hall Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. with Sen. Bob Meeks and Rep. Dave Wolkins to discuss a possible overpass at the train crossing on Main Street.
She also said there will be a public meeting Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church for senior citizens regarding their involvement in the Syracuse community center.
