Recurring Theme for the Summer: How can we make Ludington Better and Safer?

[XLFD]

I have frequently pointed out some of the shortcomings that Ludington has had with its governing entities and general safety that I have noticed.  I could point out more of what Ludington is doing right, but their are other outlets for that.  Offering critiques does not necessarily imply criticism, particularly when it is valid. 

 

I will begin putting up a variety of threads on this theme, primarily on the safety issues, and try to offer or ask for solutions.  Much of what I will display amounts to gross negligence or a disregard of the law by local and/or state government entities, and even some private entities who should know better.  Hopefully, the exposure by Torchlight of these will help correct the problems; if not, I hope to enlist your help in writing letters and E-mails, putting out fliers and posters, or doing whatever you can for any such cause you decide to back.

 

Sure, we can save money and some liability issues by having no lifeguards, but what do we tell the family of the person who drowns?  Sure, we can survive as a city without enforcing our laws on sidewalks, or building/repairing sidewalks, but will we hold the proper entity accountable when a kid is seriously injured or dies because of it?

 

And sure, we can laugh at a bunch of pictures showing stop signs in Ludington obscured completely by trees, but can we laugh at the potential liability to the taxpayers and the people who die at the T-bone collision when a car wrongly assumes he is on a thru-street when he can't see the sign?  Sure, we can complain about spending nearly a million dollars on an unneeded transient dock, but shouldn't we complain more that the money could have been better spent on creating a more walkable, ridable and drivable community?

 

I will touch base on all of these, and much more in the future, but let me put the question to you-- and don't necessarily restrict your answers to Ludington:  How can we make Ludington better and safer for it's citizens and visitors?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mary A.]

I wish pedestrians and people on bicycles (not athletes like you, X) could safely share the sidewalks downtown.

[XLFD]

Mary, I agree with you-- but even though they have recently installed a bunch of new bike racks downtown and have discussed bikeability through the business district, you cannot legally ride a bicycle downtown due to an ordinance passed in 2003 (thanks to Chief Barnett and the Youth Advisory Board).

City code section 58-157: a) ...when approaching a pedestrian on a sidewalk, the speed of the bicycle shall be reduced to that which is no greater than necessary to permit continuance of the bicycle's operation without the rider's dismounting, and shall not be increased until the pedestrian has been passed. No bicycle shall be operated upon the sidewalk in the following portions of the city:
(1) Ludington Avenue right-of-way from Harrison Street on the East to William Street on the West.
(2) James Street right-of-way from Court Street on the North to Dowland Street on the South
(b) Any person riding a bicycle on a sidewalk and crossing the areas of Ludington Avenue and James Street, as provided in the preceding subsection, shall dismount and walk through such portions of Ludington Avenue and James Street.
(c) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.
(d) Either in lieu of or supplementary to all penalties, the chief of police may impound the bicycle of any violator of this section for a period not to exceed 30 days.

Pretty stiff penalties for just crossing South James Street without dismounting, or not slowing down to pedestrian speed, isn't it? This and other ridiculous local laws (passed just after Chief Barnett assumed control) regarding bicycling in downtown Ludington is a good reason for bicyclists to avoid the area and spend their money elsewhere. More on these later.

[Mary A.]

I wasn't aware of this. I could have been ticketed the last time I had my bike up there. I will add to my wish list, then, that downtown Ludington promote green transportation. If a person lives near downtown and wants to run errands but prefers to leave the car at home, it's ridiculous that biking would be so difficult.

[XLFD]

I remember reading the minutes from a city board meeting (Downtown Development Authority?) just after the new bike racks were installed downtown a while ago, where Hizzoner John E. Henderson acknowledged they looked good, and also that he'd have a talk with Chief Barnett about changing some laws to more accomodate bikes downtown. Waiting...

[Mary A.]

Seems like they just can't get it right. You're supposed to put the horse before the cart! :-)

[Edie Lindsey]

I had a scary situation earlier this year. I had took my SUV west down Lawndale (an E-W through street) from the hospital, jiggered over to Dexter(?) St. after crossing Staffon. I then blew through the Franklin St intersection before, remembering that most east-west streets on the north side of town are signed, looking back and noticing there was a very hidden sign (yield or stop) I never had saw while coming to the intersection.

Franklin St had no signs, so I could have gotten in an accident thinking I had the right of way. I've noticed some more of these hidden signs since then, so this easily mitigated matter should be corrected and quick.

[AQUAMAN]

True Edie, but, there are wayyyy tooo many signs around Ludville to begin with imho. The traffic signs you refer to, way too many times on back streets are blocked by foliage and trees, thus creating many dangerous intersections. Generally speaking, making Ludington a better place to live, I would like to see a CCG,"Concerned Citizens Group" be started. One that would have many active members. One that could gather for discussions and debate on local matters of concern to the majority. One that would not just talk, but act, attending commission, board, township meetings on a regular basis. One that would keep our local politicos accountable and answerable to the population it directly impacts. Is that Mission Impossible? Oh well, it was a hope and dream I've had for many decades. It could just have momentum in this day and age, and actually make a big difference in the kind of government we need and want here. Any community would be better with one, and we could be an example to others that all is not necessarily lost if we choose it not to be. JMO

[XLFD]

Excellent idea on the CCG, Aquaman. If we (Luddites)could get such a committee going I would be proud to be a member, or at least the conduit (through this site and any other manner) or contributor through which it's objectives and intents are aired favorably. I think I may address such a group's formation this winter, if it hasn't started before that time.

[AQUAMAN]

Tried here and LT to make comments at times to pics. and cannot now. Anyone know how to fix that? Thanks. Anyone get some signatures at the Macker Tourney?