To the editor:
Hail, Great Barrington Selectperson Leigh Davis, for a brilliant presentation that prioritizes pedestrian safety over vehicle oppression!
Tragically, vehicles win again over the safety of GB pedestrians.
Having watched the second of two selectboard meetings at which Leigh Davis’s suggestions were ignored, basically un-discussed and overridden, I am appalled at the behavior of the four SelectMEN who continually quash Leigh’s sane, lucid and positive perspective on the traffic issue in GB.
Last night, after days of research, Leigh was, thankfully, given time to present her research, and suggestions. She clarified, in simple and “to the point” language, with photos and graphics, how we could inexpensively, yet efficiently, solve the biggest issue of the pedestrian crossing at RR and Main, by implementing a brilliant solution that has been done in Seattle, cities in Florida and elsewhere.
By creating a “road diet,” and reducing the four lanes on Main Street to three lanes, we would eliminate the “blind spot” which is where potential accidents would and have occurred. The new center lane could be used for emergency vehicles, and otherwise, there would be slower, but safer traffic with one lane going north and one going south. Leigh is only talking about the 300 feet, a nominal length, to correct the very dangerous crossing situation at the most pedestrian-traveled street in GB…that of RR street going east or west on Main.
Her graphics were so clear. It all seemed a “no brainer.” Leigh also presented statistics from the cities (towns) where this idea had been tried. Car and pedestrian accidents had been minimized, and EVERYONE (both drivers and pedestrians) had clear views at the intersection, and safety was insured.
And yet, the boys club of Great Barrington, four adult males who seem to have an unrelenting desire to shoot Leigh down, no matter how important and compassionate her suggestions are, did it again. Throwing any possibility of dialogue out the window, they ALL voted against her amendment to re-open discussion about this issue. Even though Leigh clearly stated what has been obvious all along: the elephant in the room is the BLIND SPOT caused by having four lanes of traffic that block both the pedestrian and the driver from spotting potential danger as folks try to negotiate the traffic while crossing that intersection.
Obnoxiously, ungracefully, not one of the four SelectMEN thanked Leigh for her efforts. Not one of the four SelectMEN even offered to open discussion. No one acknowledged that perhaps, just perhaps, there were some pearls of great wisdom here that might save someone’s life.
I always thought dialogue was at the core of democracy — people sharing ideas, listening to each other, thinking about what another person was proposing, and then moving forward in a communal way.
Clearly, that’s not the m.o. of the Great Barrington SelectMEN — a bull-headed group who really don’t represent the wishes of their constituency.
I assure you, after canvassing many of my friends and acquaintances around town, the general and enthusiastic desire is to just “fix the blind spot” and not spend thousands of dollars on construction. In all the examples that Leigh gave last night, budget certainly was not the overriding concern in these other towns. It was safety, safety, safety.
When will the SelectMEN of GB begin to listen: to the town, to their peers, and to Leigh Davis. It’s shameful that they remain on their corrupt soap boxes and continually vote down safety, clarity and compassion.
And what will the guys reply when faced with a tragic occurrence at RR and Main? “Sorry, we didn’t have the votes.”
Meryl Joseph
River Street
Great Barrington
