OPINION: Real focus needed on kids' safety
By JIM TRAGESER - Staff Writer | ∞
A few years back, when it came to light that a private nudist club was renting out the lap pool at the Iceoplex in Escondido, Councilwoman Marie Waldron asked the police to investigate.
When asked in this space what right the police had to question people minding their own business, Waldron replied that there were reports that some of the nudists brought their children to the private swim events ---- and that her obligation as an elected official was to protect the children.
Of course, there's no evidence to suggest that clothing-optional environments harm children in any way, shape or form (although there is quite a bit of evidence to the contrary).
On the other hand, I think we can all agree ---- hopefully even the councilwoman ---- that school crossing guards are an unquestionable benefit to the safety of our children.
Yet the city is poised to cut its share of funding for school crossing guards in Escondido.
At the same time, Waldron is proposing to ban parking on the city's feeder streets ---- in order to help move traffic along. "Traffic is trying to move through on these collector streets at a good clip, but you have all these parked cars slowing things down," was her direct quote in the May 1 edition of the North County Times.
Get rid of the crossing guards and encourage people to drive faster on feeder streets?
I suppose our kids will at least sleep better knowing they're safe from the nudists.
Sarcasm aside, it's this sort of complete logical dissonance that makes it hard to take Waldron's claims of her commitment to our children's safety seriously.
In 12 years now of having children attend both parochial and public schools in Escondido, of daily dropping kids off at schools ranging from Reidy Creek Elementary in the north to San Pasqual High in the south, I can honestly say I've yet to see a traffic enforcement detail from the police department working a school site.
Now, that doesn't mean there haven't been any ---- only that this rather average parent has yet to see one in action, which means that at minimum, traffic safety enforcement in school zones has not been a priority of this City Council. (No knock on the police, who are vastly outnumbered).
On a daily basis, I have seen impatient drivers pushing the noses of their vehicles through the throngs of students in the crosswalk at Valley Parkway (with the light in their favor) in the morning outside Del Dios Middle School. I have seen parents drop off their own precious angel, then swerve through other families' children like slalom markers at Kit Carson Park, across from San Pasqual.
And I've witnessed giant, lumbering SUVs running a left-turn red light on North Broadway and nearly run over children at the entrance to Reidy Creek School.
Given how many of our elementary and middle schools are on the feeder streets that Waldron wants to turn into race courses, it's hard to see how the combination of increasing vehicle speeds and getting rid of crossing guards can have any result that doesn't grotesquely, obscenely increase the likelihood of tragedy.
Contact staff writer Jim Trageser at jtrageser@nctimes.com or (760) 740-5408.
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pablo wrote on May 16, 2008 7:59 AM:Poor Jim, doesn't understand what road conditions actually grotesquely, obscenely increases the likelihood of tragedy.
A hint Jim, it is cars unnecessarily parked along side busy Collector streets.
Marlene Resendiz of Escondido who was killed in November 2007 at the intersection of Grand and Fairdale Avenues, would surely differ with you and side with Council Woman Waldron if she was alive.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/11/25/news/breaking/32_08_5411_25_07.txt
If you paid any attention at all Jim, you would know that Grand Avenue, where Marlene was killed is a Collector street where parking is allowed despite the clear direction in the city's General Plan which states parking should be avoided.
Council Woman Waldron deserves our appreciation, not your ignorant criticism.
ObsERVER wrote on May 22, 2008 10:20 AM:Jim is at it again with all the half-truths. Digging up issues from years ago, here is some of the reality on the issue of the nudists:
The group "Naturally California" posted the photos of the mixed age events on their website for the world to see. How private is that Jim? Also, all the councilwoman did was followup on numerous complaints filed to her by her constituents. If there is no wrongdoing, then the police wouldn't find anything, would they? The truth is, the Iceoplex canceled the events even before the police got there due to complaints by THEIR MEMBERS (not the good councilwoman). That is the private sector doing what it does best - taking care of its own issues.
Before you write the rhetoric, check the facts. The city has NOT cut crossing guards because the police department has found a way to include that in their budget, even though the schools are responsible for this. WHY DON"T YOU CRITICIZE THE SCHOOLS FOR NOT DEALING WITH THE KIDS SAFETY?
And frankly, eliminating all the cars on the collector streets is part of the current general plan created and supported by your friends Jerry Harmon, Murphy, Foster, Carla, June Rady, etc. etc. Isn't it about time the city implement it?
I thought you forgot about Waldron lately. I hope she keeps up the good work. I know she is doing a good job when Traegeser writes a column about her!
To unObservant wrote on May 22, 2008 7:12 PM:Ummm ... Waldron admitted that the only complaint she received was from James Hartline - who lives in MISSION VALLEY! http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/02/24/news/inland/23_23_402_23_05.txt
Not one of her constituents complained, and there was NO mention in the NCT coverage of Iceoplex receiving any other complaints. Rather, they cancelled the event out of fear of Waldron coming after them.
Do your research and get some real FACTS before criticizing someone else. Otherwise, you just end up looking the fool.
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