The NOTL Local welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via our website at notllocal.com. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication)
The latest article in the June 14 NOTL Local states regional staff say they don’t have details of historic collisions on Lakeshore Road and police won’t release that information without a request under the Freedom of Information Act.
Another close call on Lakeshore Road, Sunday, June 16t, 2024 approximately 10:41 a.m. While gardening I saw three cars driving eastbound towards NOTL, first car white SUV, second car blue SUV, third, a white smaller car (couldn’t make out the make/model, possible Toyota or Mazda). Third car decides traffic wasn’t moving fast enough for him/her, decides to pass (boot it) to pass the blue SUV and looked like he was going to try to pass car #1 & #2. However, there was an oncoming car westbound so he pulled in front of the blue SUV that braked immediately. It was a close call and could have been a head on collision. The location, approximately a few hundred feet from the tree where there two fatalities. Same location where several years ago an older lady pulled out of the cemetery turning eastbound, two young men travelling westbound hit her head on. Same location as well where two young girls had a fatal accident more than 15 years ago!
Freedom of Information Act…hmmm.
Regional director of transportation Frank Tassone last week advised the media that a decision was made to remove the tree on Lakeshore Road (across from the cemetery) early this week where there were two fatalities, one recently a young man, 33, and a woman, 49, almost a year ago.
The other day all the memorials, photos and mementos from both families were taken down. There was a wreath nailed to the tree which the family of the lady that passed had hung in her memory. The wreath was also taken down however, later in the day it reappeared and then as well all the mementos.
Staff from the region were on that road Tuesday to review and the decision later was made to remove the tree. My question is who made the decision? One person? A committee? What study had been done in the last week and a half since the death of the young man that solidified the decision for the region to cut the tree down? Why were there no studies or action taken a year ago when the lady died and others over the years on Lakeshore Road. What’s changed, the number of deaths? Should that make a difference?
Action should have been taken many years ago as there have been other fatalities and accidents on the stretch of Lakeshore Road between Niven and Four Mile Creek. Living on this stretch of road I have seen the aftermath and devastation…one of which in my own front yard where there was a horrendous accident a year ago. A drunk driver travelling westbound on Lakeshore coming into the eastbound lane, hitting a ditch, flying into the air for approximately 70 feet then coming down while taking out a fire hydrant, flag pole, fence, garden with mature 12 to 14’ trees, hitting a 300-pound steel gate taking that out and damaging a pillar, driveway, front lawn and landing on our opposite side of our property facing the house. Fortunately, there were no fatalities however, with what we had to go through in the aftermath…I don’t wish that on anyone. A year later and we are almost at a point of rebuilding and replacing.
In my opinion the region is doing a “knee jerk reaction.” They have not in the past or are not now being “proactive” but are being “reactive.”
The region now is doing an analysis to decide whether it is best to remove or add protection where there are other trees in the area. Dependent on their outcome they will look into a range of options. Regional representatives have met with town staff and council members this past year to talk about solutions and are looking at two things, one of which is why are vehicles leaving that portion of the road, the other…
Why have residents not been updated as to what conversations or recommendations have been suggested or made between the region and the town/council? Where are the statistics not only from the region but also from the police. Why is this not published?
Having lived here for over 20 years I can name at least six fatalities on the stretch of the Lakeshore Road, not including other accidents which we never heard the outcome after the fact or did not hear about them until a local mentioned it.
Mr. Tassone said they look at historic information that would be enough justification for any changes to the road and as the tree was hit twice in approximately a year, he said they need to do something about it quickly, by removing the tree and that likely it won’t be the only tree they have to remove or maybe put a guardrail in place.
We have many new bicycle businesses that have opened in NOTL, we have extraordinary wineries which NOTL is known as a destination for. I can look out my window or sit on my porch and just watch the number of tourists on bicycles that cross Lakeshore Road either way to drive into the Ironwood Cider House and I cringe every time I see oncoming cars. What are we doing to make their visit safe? What are we doing to make other wineries a safe location to visit to and from on a bicycle.
With print media and social media, I am pleased to hear this issue is now at the forefront, however, more needs to be done sooner than later to be proactive. Studies, talking, meetings and analyzing won’t make change. We are a tourist town. Let’s not wait for another tragedy.
Shirley Madsen
NOTL
