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Speeding_in_Sydenham

Feature Article November 13

Feature Article November 13, 2002

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Citizens Seek Help from Council Over Speeding in Sydenham

Twenty-one residents of Sydenham attended last weeks council meeting to show their concern about the problem of excessive speed in the village of Sydenham.

Spokesperson Janette Haas quoted Mayor Leonard who has said, These children are the future of our community. Haas then asked council as a whole, Whats the liability of council if a child is injured after they have refused to fully address this issue? She pointed out that the problem had persisted in spite of increased policing, and asked council to set up a committee to look at alternate, affordable means of calming traffic.

A resident of Meadowbrook reminded council of the more than 60 seniors living in Loughborough Housing apartments, and walking in the village. On behalf of the Police Committee, Alan Stott also asked council to please address this issue seriously.

An October 11 letter from O.P.P. Staff Sergeant Fowler to council concerning speeding in Sydenham and on Perth Road south of Inverary, said that police considered speeding important. It also implied there would be no further increase in police presence in the near future. Speeding has been a priority commitment for the past three years and I fully expect it will be one of our priorities again in this coming year, reads Fowlers letter.

Councillor Smith stated that this was a policing issue; thats what the police were paid to do, and the problem should be left with them. During a lively debate, several other possible solutions were put forward.

Councillor Willis agreed with the villagers that speeding had been a problem for many years, and made a motion that council form a committee to address the issues of speed and safety in Sydenham.

Councillor Barr said that a committee of council should look at more than just the village of Sydenham, pointing out that any committee that has council members on it would be an expense to the entire township. Councillor Lake agreed that all areas should be represented, not just Sydenham: We dont need a lot of people on it from Sydenham because we already know what theyll say.

After a brief recess, Councillors Willes and Pobran put forward a revised motion that Council strike a committee to address speeding issues in the Township of South Frontenac and that council would set the terms of reference of the committee. It was passed, with Councillors Barr, Robinson and Smith opposed. Councillor Smith then asked to be on the committee.

With the participation of the Government of Canada