The Town Will Not Build Any New Sidewalks ...
... which can benefit whole neighborhoods and school children but ....
Audible Signals Approved by Council
by BRIAN TROMPETER,Staff WriterBlind pedestrians soon will be able to navigate the intersection of Follin Lane and Echols Street in southeast Vienna more easily, thanks to audible signals approved July 7 by the Vienna Town Council.
The council approved the $19,217 project after receiving assurances from town staff members that the signals would not disrupt the residential neighborhood.
Matthew Randall, an engineer with the town, said the volume of the equipment's locating beacon would automatically adjust depending on data from its ambient-noise sensor.
The device's louder chirping noises, which signal when it's safe for pedestrians to cross the street, would be activated only when people pushed a button, Randall said.
The signals had been requested by Louise Rothrock, a blind resident who moved to Valley Drive, S.E., to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.
Rothrock told the council her mobility instructor recommended the audible devices be installed.
“My one concern is that it not be too loud for the neighbors,” Rothrock said. “I wouldn't want to offend anybody in the neighborhood. I don't expect I would ever use it at night.”
Brothers Signal Co. of Leesburg will provide and install junction boxes and concrete foundations for $9,683. Sagres Construction will install concrete curb and gutter and handicapped-accessible ramps for $2,102. The remaining equipment and labor will be provided by the town for $7,434.
Comments
Why wouldn't they simply program in a four way red light period to allow pedestrians to cross in any direction?
Posted by: I Dunno | July 11, 2008 11:40 PM
one person can get the town to spend nearly $20k for their own personal benefit (and it does not appear to be for the benefit of anyone else)?
i need to lose some weight, will the town buy me a bike so i can ride into town?
Posted by: the meanest person alive | July 12, 2008 09:40 AM
I sure don't get this! How does one signal help? She crosses the street, then what? Don't we have to make them all audible signals to ensure safety for this one woman? And neighbors you WILL hear the annoying chirping sound.
How about the safety of our children Jane, TC???? And there are a few of those!
Posted by: get a guide dog! | July 12, 2008 11:04 AM
Dear Mayor Boob and Mad Maud:
I also recommend sidewalks for the children.
Posted by: Mobility Instructor | July 12, 2008 12:01 PM
I thought a lot of those signals already had chirps.
Posted by: anne smith | July 12, 2008 02:03 PM
I went through the Nutley Street intersection today and heard chirps. I looked around and could not imagine crossing any direction at that intersection because there were chirps. Not to be mean, but what hap[pened to the white cane? The cane would get my attention.
Recall a lady on Church Street who did not want a sidewalk but would rather walk on the street with her children. The only logic I could conjure was that the sidewalk was too high off the road for a visually impaired person. Whatever, they built the sidewalk.
Posted by: Wyltn | July 12, 2008 06:50 PM
BTW: The subject herself said she did not want the chirps if it would bother nearby residents. I interpret this to mean that the chirps are not necessary but only helpful.
Posted by: Wyltn | July 12, 2008 06:56 PM
I am wondering if there are kickbacks being paid to advocates of the pedestrian control system. The application appears to be marginal.
Posted by: Ruminator | July 13, 2008 09:19 AM
The chirps are locators for the buttons. They are very helpfull to blind pedestrians.(Unlike all Red signals if you are blind you can't see the signal. I don't think anyone can coment this unless you are blind!
Posted by: One who cares | July 13, 2008 04:32 PM
As tax paying citizens, we are allowed to discuss/question/debate how our money is spent by politicians. To try to shut down our debate is just a *wee* bit tyrannical.
Posted by: vienna mommy | July 13, 2008 05:43 PM
Ok, so here's the rub: I don't think many of us would have a hard time with some of our tax dollars being spent to make the town more accessible to its citizens. I mean that's one of the big reasons we want sidewalks, right?
However, $20,000 is a lot of money for a couple of chirping noisemakers, and it comes on the heels of Jane and the rest of the idiots on the TC spending a few million on the Town Green. Add to this the increase in real estate and water/sewer taxes, and you can see where we are pissed off that Jane is pissing on us and telling us it's raining.
Posted by: That's not rain, Jane | July 13, 2008 06:11 PM
"However, $20,000 is a lot of money for a couple of chirping noisemakers, and it comes on the heels of Jane and the rest of the idiots on the TC spending a few million on the Town Green. Add to this the increase in real estate and water/sewer taxes, and you can see where we are pissed off that Jane is pissing on us and telling us it's raining."
Yes, they squandered millions on the Town Green just so that TC members could get their names on a plaque. About the only time people use the Town Green is when there are performances at the amphitheatre, but Glyndon Park would have been just as good a venue. It is time to hold elections in November.
Posted by: Gridlock | July 14, 2008 09:10 AM
All the documentation to do fall elections was secured. It is a process. We just need a few people to step up and take the lead on it.
Posted by: Mr. Man | July 14, 2008 11:17 AM
Mr. Man: Who has it? Where is the documentation? Does your comment mean you're not taking the lead on it? If you have information on the "process", ask HV for my e-mail and send it to me. Thanks.
Posted by: Mark | July 14, 2008 06:03 PM
Those who are visually impaired enough to require assistance in crossing intersections, etc., should carry a cane. My wife is 100% blind and has made fun of partially sighted people who go without canes but then need help reading wall menus and just about everything else. She will not go out without her cane.
I don't think there is a signal at that intersection. If there is a signal, I have no problem with putting the chirpers. I would have somewhat of a problem with putting one there when there are other blind pedestrians in this town who don't get their own personal chirpers.
I will forward this to my wife and see what she thinks.
Posted by: Shawn Pickrell | July 15, 2008 10:13 AM