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Sharing thoughts not yet a two-way process |
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Tuesday, 06 May 2008 |
By WILLIAM LANEY
Managing Editor
A Wapakoneta resident’s concerns have been heard, but a Wapakoneta City Council member declines at this time to make his thoughts public on making East Main Street a one-way street.
4th Ward Councilor Dan Graf, who chairs the Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks Committee, said he would issue a recommendation from his committee members on making East Main Street a one-way street between Park and Willipie streets or not at a later date.
“I decline to issue an opinion on the matter until the entire situation is studied and the results of the study are brought before the committee,” Graf told the Wapakoneta Daily News after Monday’s council meeting. “There are a lot of factors that go into this decision and to whom it would affect. I would say the main driving force is the mailbox situation.”
Graf said one of the issues is trucks having access to to make deliveries to downtown businesses.
During the April 23 committee meeting, members discussed semitrailers being able to turn east from an alley onto Main Street without damaging light and electric poles. Another issue is people driving the wrong way down East Main Street if it is made one-way.
The committee chair said he also is looking at other options for mailboxes.
“We are looking at other off-street locations for mailboxes with a chute,” Graf said. “If we can locate a few spots, then the next step would be to see if Post Office officials would approve their placement at those locations.
“I think off-street locations would be safer for motorists if we got them off the streets because they would no longer be trying to re-enter the flow of traffic,” he said.
Doris Weber, 106 Willipie St., approached councilors Monday with additional information regarding making East Main Street a one-way street going east.
Weber said Postmaster Jenny Shoup and several postal service employees told her they would be in favor of making the street one-way. She also talked with residents along East Main Street, who also voiced their support of the proposal.
To her surprise, Weber also received support for the change from a manager of the Eagles.
Weber also presented photographs of a one-way street with a mailbox and chute in St. Marys.
“If they can do it in St. Marys, then whey can’t we do it in Wapak?” Weber told councilors. “You can at least discuss it. All it would take is for you to put up a one-way street sign on Willipie Street and a second sign on Park Street.”
Council President Don Jump referred Weber to committee meeting minutes which showed the issue is being addressed.
Graf said he expects a report on the matter during a Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks Committee meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. May 23. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 07 May 2008 )
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