I agree...

I agree with Rick Albrecht's comments regarding the need for the four way stop sign at Green Hill and River Roads. It seems like Mr. Klein has definitely made a "precipitous" decision setting the date for the new signs to be installed by October 1, 2007. Having just learned about the decision, my first thought was how many people complained at the Selectman's meeting about the problem versus how many hundreds on a daily basis are going to be affected by the implementation of the new signs. I definitely believe we have all become more aware of the need for safer driving over the past couple of months and hopefully it will become a habit we won't soon forget. However, arbitrary moves such as this are not the answer.

Walt Coady

Traffic Calls For Study, Not a Quick Fix

Traffic has been a focus of concern in Killingworth for a long time now and views are almost as varied as our citizens. I actually spent some time at two busy intersections talking to drivers during the recent “Drive the Limit Challenge” sponsored by Killingworth Today and the Krier. About 25% knew about the limit, another 20% noticed others driving slower without knowing why, and the remaining 55% were carrying on as usual. Now that the dust has settled and we have had a week to reflect on our own experiences, as well as read the comments of many of our neighbors, we need to evaluate what we’ve learned.

With new roads, improved old roads, and modern vehicles, whether you want to or not, it is nearly impossible to maintain a speed of 25mph. I believe these low limits actually discourage law abiding folks from following them. Even some of the participants that did 25mph last Monday acknowledged that they normally drive a little faster and probably went right back to their old habits. While I am certainly not proposing speeding, I think limits that are too low also put our enforcement officials between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

I have, over the years, literally driven hundreds of thousands of miles on Killingworth’s thoroughfares. As First Selectman, I will work through the BOS to commission a thorough, professional traffic study of our speed limits, sightlines, and related issues. I will engage the state in reviewing their roads as well. Similar studies in neighboring towns have resulted in positive changes.

The current plan, unilaterally adopted by the First Selectman, to put up four way stop signs at the Green Hill/ River Road intersection is precipitous to say the least. There may be as many cons as pros about it. The topography and sightlines at the intersection are complicated. Collaborative BOS planning, together with the input of experts, should be the first steps in an effort to mitigate the dangers of the intersection.

Meantime, folks, respecting eachother on the roads will make us all safer now.

The Democratic Process at Work

I want to thank those who attended the recent Democratic caucus and put the democratic process to work. I am honored to be the Democratic Party’s candidate for First Selectman and will work to conduct an issues based campaign that includes all members of the Democratic slate. As I said at the caucus, Marty Klein has begun projects long overdue. It is my intention to build on the positive initiatives that had their beginnings in the KDTC’s 2005 platform and to take a comprehensive look at what we need to do now for the future health of our community.

Many of you have known me all my life. My family moved to Killingworth from New York City in 1949 and built a house on property that had been in my mother’s family since the early 1900s. I have been a public servant, in some capacity, on the local, county, regional, state and national level, volunteer or otherwise, for over forty years. My town is dear to me and I intend to be a strong and unifying candidate. I am also at a point in my life when I can devote the time and energy that it now takes to run the town while planning competently for its future.

Over the years I have served Killingworth in many elected, appointed, and volunteer positions. I have been on the Board of Selectmen and served a term as First Selectman. I am currently Chair of the Board of Assessment Appeals, serve on the Killingworth Ambulance Association, the Volunteer Fire Company, and recently the Town Charter Revision Committee, to name just a few. I am a life member of both the Killingworth Historical Society and the Killingworth Land Trust.

I know Killingworth. I know where it has been and where it is now. I know that we have to work together to accomplish what tomorrow requires. I hope to see as many of you as I can in the weeks and months ahead to discuss the issues and to ask for your vote.