2008 Woodie Awards
Council delays action on Main Street
Jerica Harvey
Issue date: 10/15/08 Section: News
The Whitewater Common Council postponed taking additional safety measures at the Whiton and Main intersection.
The council has taken up the issue three times since former student, Mike Chaloupka, was seriously injured when struck by a car crossing the Whiton Street crosswalk. He died several days after.
At the Oct. 7 meeting, Councilman Roy Nosek led opposition to reject a recommendation from City Manager Kevin Brunner, Chancellor Richard Telfer and traffic engineers for a stoplight and pedestrian barriers on either side of Main Street because of their cost.
"It's just more than we need right now," Nosek said. "We need to try and solve the problem without spending that kind of money and the added confusion for traffic in the area."
When the council discussed only one barrier being needed along campus to prevent jaywalking, Nosek said, "I don't know if students are smart enough to recognize a barrier on the other side of the street."
Nosek sought to postpone a decision on the traffic light until the city has researched the possibility of a HAWK pedestrian signal light. The Tucson High-intensity Activated Crosswalk system allows pedestrians to control traffic and force cars to stop when a student is crossing, which would substitute the stoplight.
Councilmen and student Max Taylor originally proposed to research the HAWK system instead of going through with the recommendation.
"I'm down for the lowest cost possible but we can't put a price on safety in these conditions," Taylor said. "I've talk to a lot of people about this, and students do not like, and are even angry about, the idea of barriers."
Only Councilmen Jim Stewart and President of the council Patrick Singer voted against postponement.
The HAWK system would cost the city between $65,000 to $100,000 while a stoplight would cost between $100,000 and $150,000 according to consultants.
Stewart said students make up a large part of the community and deserve all the services and consideration the city can provide.
The council has taken up the issue three times since former student, Mike Chaloupka, was seriously injured when struck by a car crossing the Whiton Street crosswalk. He died several days after.
At the Oct. 7 meeting, Councilman Roy Nosek led opposition to reject a recommendation from City Manager Kevin Brunner, Chancellor Richard Telfer and traffic engineers for a stoplight and pedestrian barriers on either side of Main Street because of their cost.
"It's just more than we need right now," Nosek said. "We need to try and solve the problem without spending that kind of money and the added confusion for traffic in the area."
When the council discussed only one barrier being needed along campus to prevent jaywalking, Nosek said, "I don't know if students are smart enough to recognize a barrier on the other side of the street."
Nosek sought to postpone a decision on the traffic light until the city has researched the possibility of a HAWK pedestrian signal light. The Tucson High-intensity Activated Crosswalk system allows pedestrians to control traffic and force cars to stop when a student is crossing, which would substitute the stoplight.
Councilmen and student Max Taylor originally proposed to research the HAWK system instead of going through with the recommendation.
"I'm down for the lowest cost possible but we can't put a price on safety in these conditions," Taylor said. "I've talk to a lot of people about this, and students do not like, and are even angry about, the idea of barriers."
Only Councilmen Jim Stewart and President of the council Patrick Singer voted against postponement.
The HAWK system would cost the city between $65,000 to $100,000 while a stoplight would cost between $100,000 and $150,000 according to consultants.
Stewart said students make up a large part of the community and deserve all the services and consideration the city can provide.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 9
Jason G
posted 10/14/08 @ 11:25 PM CST
Roy Nosek is a disgusting individual. Time and time again he fights everything that comes to the city that could help students. He is up for re-election this Spring. (Continued…)
ashley
posted 10/15/08 @ 11:59 AM CST
I agree w/ Jason. Everyone get out and vote and DO NOT vote for Nosek. The students of Whitewater that he hates so much have the power to get that a** out of office. (Continued…)
Kevin
posted 10/15/08 @ 12:12 PM CST
Nosek needs to go... he is ignorant... listen to the people that know what they are talking about...
Julie
posted 10/16/08 @ 7:35 AM CST
District three is filled predominately with students. It will take those students voting in order to remove the ignorant Nosek from office. This is a small town, and students really can change the government if they actually vote. (Continued…)
Mandy
posted 10/16/08 @ 12:52 PM CST
The comment Nosek makes about students "not being smart enough" is a ridiculous reason for not putting up barriers. I think barriers are an excellent idea. (Continued…)
Max Taylor
posted 10/21/08 @ 2:28 PM CST
As someone who is pretty knowledgeable in this matter, there are a few things that need to be said. First of all, Roy has been a member of the Common Council since April 2007, when he barely beat a respected UW-Whitewater professor by two votes. (Continued…)
Jim
posted 11/05/08 @ 2:09 AM CST
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/11/26/hawk-a-crosswalk-button-that-actually-works/
It doesn't look like a bad thing as far as I can see. Looks like it would fit this intersection well. (Continued…)
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