Mayor Skibitsky has repeatedly stated that the Hawk Pedestrian Light with all it's flashing warning signs and extensive roadway markings is in the safest location. The fact of the matter is that since the installation of the Hawk Light there has been an increase in motor vehicle accidents on the 113 feet of Central Ave. between the Hawk Light and Clover St.
TFoTM has obtained each and every accident report since 2002 and posted them here at The Fact of The Matter. There has been an increase in accidents of almost 400% but Mayor Skibitsky remains resolute in his stance that the "Hot Spot" of Central & Clover is safe due to his, and his fellow town council members, decision to place the Hawk Light at Central Ave & "Residential Drive."
Westfield traffic safety engineer Gordon Meth had recommended the light be placed at Central & Clover.
At this point, Mayor Skibitsky should be wondering why he went against his own expert's recommendation.
Westfield Town Administrator Jim Gildea has proclaimed that the Central Ave. corridor has seen a decrease in accidents by 25% in recent years after improvements were made to the county road stretching from downtown Westfield to the Clark border. Gildea's attempt to deflect from the facts, the truth, that the stretch of roadway between the Hawk Light and Clover St. has seen a significant increase in accidents is reprehensible in light of the amount of property damage and injuries that have occurred.
Jim Gildea is a stooge for the Skibitsky regime. Jim Gildea is a liar.
ReplyDeleteToday the 16th accident happened in less than 3 years (33 months) in the 100 feet between the crosswalk in front of my house and the intersection Central Avenue-Clover Street. The 15th accident happened less than 2 months ago, on April 28. Compare this to 8 accidents in all the 10 previous years! It is so obvious how unsafe is the location of this crosswalk that only a completely dishonest individual or one totally incapable to think and judge could argue that. This happens because the crosswalk is confusing being placed in the middle of the road and the traffic in the intersection is not controlled. There is no one agreeing with this unique irresponsible project except the Mayor and his acolytes. It is very embarrassing to hear Andi Skibitzky stating repeatedly: “this is the safest location for the crosswalk; I am not going to move it.” All the experts recommended the intersection as the right location, the county offered to correct the situation, and relocate the crosswalk and the light. Tenths of people asked for the relocation of the crosswalk to the intersection. He simply did not want to correct it, he presented false data to the Council members and pursued them to vote against the relocation on February 14, 2011. Skibitsky’s attitude is not of a mayor concerned of people’s safety but of somebody who is probably power drunk and his judgment is impaired by his power. This is why he defies the logic, the obvious, and the safety of the people who voted for him, and I am one of them. Let’s wait! One day somebody will be hit or killed by a car. What lies will he, Jim Gildea and his friends will say?
ReplyDeleteThe data collected by TFoTM refutes both claims made by Mayor Skibitsky and Jim Gildea regarding the safety of Central Ave. between the Hawk light and Clover St.
DeleteThe Westfield Town Council has been presented with the facts and data collected that speaks for itself revealing an extremely dangerous trend since the installation of this pedestrian light at a location mid-block.
Their refusal to move the light to the original recommended location of Central Ave & Clover St is baffling if you consider the statistics and exper's recommendation.
Politics and ego should not determine the location of this light.
As Councilman Arena once stated, "We will look at the data." It's time for the Town Council to stop looking and start acting on a problem that was identified in 2005 by its own expert.
There had never been a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle in all the years of people crossing Central Ave. prior to the Hawk Light being installed. There were less accidents on Central Ave. between Cambridge Rd. and Central Ave. prior to the installation of the Hawk Light.
Why was this light installed mid-block?
Answer: POLITICS
Perhaps the state or the county should step up and remove the light.....
ReplyDeleteno, perhpas someone else on the council should join Haas, grow a pair and stand up to this bully
ReplyDeleteMove the light just to shut the fraud and two hags up. That alone would be worth it. Who will they blame when the accidents continue to happen? Tailgating, drivers passing cars on the right when drivers are making a left turn onto Clover, lack of signalling, cars turning onto Central from Clover (and all other side streets) without stopping and cutting off drivers on Central. I predict the accidents will continue to happen.
ReplyDeleteWhile driver inattention continues to be listed as a contributing circumstance on the police reports filed, I will continue to blame the configuration of the mid block crossing with all it's blinking signs and extensive roadway painted lines and markings as the distraction along with the residential driveway that many motorists have confused as an intersecting street.
DeleteYours Truly,
The Fraud
The accidents that have occurred more frequently are accidents involving vehicles slowing to make a left turn on to Clover St being rear ended. In several of the crashes the lead vehicle has slowed down to make a turn at the Hawk light only to find out it is a residential driveway. The vehicle then speeds up and once again slows down to make the intended left turn onto Clover St. 113 feet from the Hawk light. The slowing down then speeding up and once again slowing down wreaks havoc on traffic following. No doubt if people were to slow down, keep a safe distance between vehicles and not pass on the right, things might be different but let's deal in reality and not what we "wish" happens. Your reference to cars turning onto Central Ave from Clover is irrelevant under the circumstances regarding north bound left turns onto Clover from Central.
ReplyDeleteThe Fraud
It is interesting that whenever someone points out or expresses something different, Mr. Kasko dismisses the comment(s) as "irrelevant". It is not irrelevant in pointing out the lack of safe driving on the stretch of Central Ave. from the light on Clifton/Sycamore to the railroad tracks on the Clark boarder. There is no safe place due to the speeds drivers move, the tailgating, the passing on the right, the turns onto Central from virtually all of the side streets onto Central (mostly from residents who are familiar with the streets. It is all relevant, Mr. Kasko. Move the damn light if you will, but the accidents will still continue. I use this stretch of road every day going to and coming home from work.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous
DeleteI don't regard opposing views as irrelevant. What I deem irrelevant is a comment lumping accidents involving cars turning onto Central Ave. from side streets when I am talking about accidents involving vehicles turning left "off" of Central Ave. onto Clover St. which was identified by Westfield's traffic safety engineer as a problem and concern requiring attention.
To Anonymous
DeleteFurthermore, if you consider that accidents on the "Central Ave Corridor" are down 25% according to Westfield Town Administrator Jim Gildea, since changes were made to South & Central, Cacciola & Central, Grove & Central and Sycamore & Central, accidents are occurring less frequently.
However, at the intersection of Clover & Central, there has been over a 400% increase in accidents involving vehicles attempting to make a left turn from Central onto Clover St. since the installation o the HAWK light 113 feet away.