Reminder to drive slowly past Catharine Blaine (and all schools!) when children are present

March 19th, 2013 · 10 Comments

UPDATE- We received this email today. The problem may be solved soon…

Magnolia Voice: Thank you, thank you!!!
I very much appreciate you posting my e-mail about the school zone light in front of Catharine Blaine being broken. I have an update:
This afternoon I got a very nice call from Carol at SDOT who gave me some good news. She said that the funds had been approved and they would be able to repair the flashing light! They were working on getting a time scheduled, but she would keep me posted as to when it would happen.
Thanks everyone for your support and to SDOT for listening to the neighborhood and making the repair happen.
Janice

EARLIER

The flashing beacon on 34th that once reminded us to drive 20mph when children are present has stopped working. MV recently received this email urging drivers to slow down in Blaine’s school zone:

Dear Magnolia Voice:

I was wondering if you could do a story that would help remind our neighbors to go 20 mph near Catharine Blaine ‘when children are present’. Right now, the flashing light that is on 34^th in front of the school is broken, so it is not coming on as a reminder.

The light has been out for quite awhile and I brought it to the attention of gals in the School Office (they’d already called the City)……but I also went ahead and called the City of Seattle to see if they could get it fixed. After a couple of calls, I got a return call last week from a woman named Carol, who is in charge of the School Zone traffic lights.

Unfortunately, the news was not good……she said that typically, she can set it remotely, but that there is something that needs to be repaired on the signal. Apparently, when it was first installed ‘someone’ kept messing with the signal timing, so they moved the box that she needs to access to the top of the pole. Because it’s at the top of the pole, she’d need to get electricians and a bucket truck to get access. Right now, there is not enough money in her budget to be able to do that………so at this point, it will not be repaired.

Carol was quite nice and felt really bad that she could not fix the light…..I think if she could do it herself, she would have just come out and fixed it. I have told the school the same story, so they know about it.

I don’t think there is a signal on 32^nd on the other side of the school, so the 20mph applies there as well anyway.

I think that because the signal light is not working people think they are allowed to go 30 mph, even though children may be present. This is especially important at 9:20 when school starts and 3:35 when it ends.

Thank you for your help. I’ve been talking to people at the school and the PTA to help remind people to drive 20 mph when required, but I think you have the opportunity to reach neighbors who may not have school aged children. I know a lot of people read your blog.

Thanks!

Janice Wettstone

Thank you Janice!

Tags: Uncategorized

Tootie12

And give the crossing guard a brake!!!! Cross at the crosswalk!!!!
AYKM

Getting an electrician is cheaper than a lawsuit after a child gets hurt. Step it up, City.
Jordan Parks

Wow. Sending a bucket truck out breaks the budget? Really? So we can’t afford to keep our kids safe? That’s pathetic and not an acceptable answer. You’ve inspired me, Janice. I’m going to call a friend at KOMO and see if they’d be interested in shining a little unflattering publicity on city services and, in particular, this individual who has been stone-walling you.
magnolian

“Can’t means won’t.”
minty mocha

Thank you, Janice, for seeing a need and following up on it personally, not just hoping someone else would do something about it. You’ve done a great job patiently researching a solution and keeping the community informed. It’s too bad vandals caused functional delays and additional costs both initially and apparently again to a government service designed to keep our children safe.
Rick from SDOT

Budget cuts have limited our ability to effectively maintain beacons like these. However, an SDOT crew will address this problem. The work will happen as soon as we can schedule a truck and crew to do so.

AYKM

Thank you. This is important.

MagnoliaHomeOwner

Just drove by and noticed a bucket truck working on the signal. Hopefully that means this will be taken care of today.
sally

Most people that are local know it’s a school zone. Thank you for your vigilance on getting the lights fixed. Now, if only our friends and neighbors (some of whose kids go to Fatima) would slow the heck down by the school. It IS an arterial. I get that but really, do you want to hit a kid? Amazes me that our neighbors and friends in our neighborhood are speeding by this and any school. Shame on them. Hopefully their kids don’t ever get hit….

jillytoo

I totally agree. I’m sadly appalled by other parents we know speeding near both schools. I cannot imagine hitting a kid…hopefully it’s not one of their kids.