EyeonDare's email and Denny's response is copied below:
Hal,
Can you tell me what was the impetus for the town of SS deciding to ask to have the speed limit lowered?
Was it based upon a survey, a lot of citizen request or simply because the board wanted it done?
I'm confused.
Ray
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Can you tell me what was the impetus for the town of SS deciding to ask to have the speed limit lowered?
Was it based upon a survey, a lot of citizen request or simply because the board wanted it done?
I'm confused.
Ray
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Ray
The question of the speed limit on NC 12 thru our town has been discussed by Council for many years. In 2000, my first retreat on Council, I suggested it be lowered to 35 during the tourist season. My concern has been driven by considerations of increased safety of our summer guests, and our residents, crossing the highway to get to the beach.
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| Mayor Hal Denny |
The matter was brought to the attention of Council at its recent retreat by newly elected Councilperson Larry Lawhon, was discussed, and subsequently placed on the agenda for a regular meeting. While my motion to reduce the limit to 35 during the tourist season failed, I was certainly willing to compromise and vote for the reduction to be year-round. If our request is accepted by DOT, we will be able to improve signage to obtain yet another increment of safety over the reduction alone.
Was our action based upon a survey? No. Was our action based upon a lot of citizen requests? No. Was our action simply because the board wanted it done? No.
Our action was based upon a great deal of thought and discussion on the issue leading to a vote…a process in keeping with our form of government. I was elected along with four others to govern. Apparently the people saw something in us that they trusted us to do so. I do not believe in government by survey. I believe the ballot box to be super tool.
I have timed the difference between 35 and 45 thru our town several times. The difference is approximately two minutes. Billie and I will make note of that on Sunday morning before leaving for Duck. In our case, the difference will be about one minute, 45 seconds. We can live with that.
Hal Denny
Mayor
6 comments:
When did the mayor and the rest of the Council become traffic engineers? I'd venture to say a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 35 MPH vs. 45 MPH won’t be any less injured. I don’t recall the last major accident along NC12 in Southern Shores.
There is no point in lowering the speed limit since no one on the Southern Shores Police force will bother to enforce it anyway. What a complete waste of time on the part of the Town Cpuncil.
Did any of these rocket scientists bother to think about how this will increase traffic through Dogwood Trail, Hilcrest Drive, etc when even MORE vacationers tear up our streets in search of a so called short cut? And just where will the police be then?
Residents and especially those who live in Southern Shores need to unite and march before the next town council meeting and let them know how the majority feel about this decision. Then, see if they are like the county commissioners who ignore the wishes of the people they represent.
Do any of the people posting here actually live in Southern Shores (and walk across Duck Road on a regular basis)? This change is way overdue. I will feel safer having my children cross NC 12 with the lower speed limit.
Thank you to the town council for stepping up and doing what's right.
EOD - I agree with the vast majority of what you write/post, but you are way off on this one.
So the mayor only wants the citizen's opinions in election years.
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