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Resident
says stop sign is needed on Hamilton
Problem:
An Angel Valley resident reported to the Ombudsman that
Hamilton Street has become "a known through way for people
who want to get to Wyatt Avenue without any stops." The
resident further reports that the drivers disregard speed limits
and the children who live and play around the intersection of
Hamilton and Willard. A day care center is located at this corner.
The writer to Ombudsman suggests placing a stop sign at this
intersection.
Ombudsman:
So how does a citizen alert the city to the need for a stop
sign? Chief Richard Ludolph reports that the process begins with a
petition that can be obtained from the city clerk’s office at
City Hall. The petition does not require multiple signatures. It
simply asks the petitioner to make a case for placing a stop sign
(or any other sign) in a specific location. When the petition is
submitted to the city clerk, the police department conducts a
study of the intersection and files a report. The petition and
report are then forwarded to a committee of the city council,
which makes the final decision.
Residents
concerned about speeding on Wyatt Avenue
Question:
We have recently moved to Wyatt Avenue. It is a beautiful
street to live on, and most people take good care of their
property. It's a nice street for walking with your family, as we
do a lot in nice weather. The problem we have is that a lot of
people drive very fast (too fast, as in speeding!) on this street,
as there are no stop signs at all. We have cars that will almost
run over us as we attempt to slow down and enter our drive (not to
mention the hand gestures by those real fast ones who are really
in a hurry!). One night, we even had someone drive through our
yard and hit a tree! Is this street ever policed, is what I
wonder, because I've never seen any police checking the traffic,
and it is a problem, in my opinion. I worry about my children and
others who play or ride bikes and for the safety of so many of the
school kids that drive so fast before and after school.
Answer:
The speed limit on Wyatt Avenue is 30 miles per hour.
Currently there is a police officer at the high school to provide
a police presence in the parking lot and school grounds. And
according to Police Chief Rich Ludolph, the streets are patrolled
regularly; however, if there is a problem with speeding and
reckless drivers, the public should report the situation to the
police. Chief Ludolph said that an officer will be assigned to
Wyatt Avenue more often during the hours before and after school
to monitor traffic and help slow down speeding drivers.
So,
if you are speeding on the city's streets, slow down and obey the
speed limits – before you get a ticket, or injure yourself or
someone else.
Basset
hound runs loose
Question:
We
live on the 500 block of Frorer Avenue, and there is a basset
hound type of dog running loose every day. He is always digging in
our garbage barrel and stringing it all over as well as
"doing his business" in our yard.
Ombudsman:
Animal control was notified of the basset hound on Monday, Feb. 14. Mr. Sullivan was compliant and said he would report the
incident.
(To top of second
column)
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Unmarked
intersections—
Who has
the right of way?
Question:
Who has the right of way on unmarked streets in Lincoln. Is it
north-south traffic, or the
first one to get to the intersection on your right?
Answer:
According to state law, the driver on the right of the
intersection has the right of way. This law applies to all streets
and highways.
Pedestrian
traffic—
Who has the right of way?
Question:
There is a traffic jam every workday over on Limit Street in front
of the Precision Products factory. Who has the legal right of way?
Is it the employees on foot or those of us trying to drive by?
Ombudsman:
The law states under Article X, Pedestrian’s Rights and Duties,
Section 5/11-1002, Pedestrians’ right of way at crosswalks, that
even when traffic control signals are not in place or not in
operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way,
slowing down or stopping if need be to yield to a pedestrian
crossing the roadway within a crosswalk. No pedestrian, according
to the law, shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety
and walk or run into the path of a moving vehicle which could
constitute an immediate hazard. In other words, slow down for the
people trying to cross the street. By law it is your duty.
No
sidewalks? What can I do?
Question: We
have no sidewalks and would love to have them but are unsure of
the cost involved for us as homeowners. Does the city absorb the
cost? Do we need to apply for it? What is the procedure?
Ombudsman: Don
Osborn at the City Street and Alley Department says the first step
is to advise City Hall. You can do this by picking up a sidewalk
petition at City Hall. The council ultimately decides the fate of
sidewalks.
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