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This question was asked by a resident during the resident comment section of the July WPA board meeting. We'll have to go back to the beginning, and cover board member Anderson's road report during the meeting. To those of you who are long time residents, you won't be surprised that we are on this subject again - SPEED BUMPS! This subject has come up at least 3 times, by this board. The first time the board reported that their were many complaints, and a need. It should be noted that there were no complaints in the correspondence file. The next time board member Mc Millin claimed we needed speed bumps because his ground's volunteers, and his grounds crew were going to be injured or killed, near the front gate. He further claimed that a car had gone from zero to 60 from the yield sign on the circle to the gate house. The motion to proceed didn't pass. I have no opinion about speed bumps, but I do want honesty in reporting from the board table.
During resident comments at the June board meeting a resident parent reported that while they were bike riding as a family, that one of the children was dragged by a car. My heart went out to this parent of well supervised children, and the speed problem in Wedgefield. Board member Anderson was asked by the board to do some research on speed bumps.
During the July meeting he reported that he had done an informal survey on FB regarding speed bumps, and whether residents wanted them. He went on to say that of those who responded two thirds did not want them. He investigated different types of speed bumps, and asked the board what they wanted him to do. Board members added comments, and there was a fair discussion. Anderson's other suggestion was to ask for policing support, and write tickets.
My notes don't indicate that there was a decision to move forward.
COMMENTS:
Speeding in Wedgefield has been a problem for the 13 years that I have lived here, and probably long before. In fairness to this board, and all of those proceeding them, attempts have been made to try, and fix it, but none appeared to have worked. A few times, a board member requested law enforcement. One former board member's wife was ticketed over $300 for failing to stop properly at a long established stop sign. During the Christmas season a few years back when several residents were attending a Wedgefield event off site, several of those residents received tickets for failing to stop properly at the stop sign on the circle. There were complaints during resident comments at board meetings, and I believe one or two ticketed residents blamed the board, and wanted to have the board pay their tickets.
This board has all the old problems, and a few others. Prior to 2009, a board decided that stop signs were the answer. Stop signs were added at high traffic intersections on Wedgefield Road, and Wragg's Ferry. Then the board would receive complaints from residents who obeyed the "stop", of almost being rammed by people behind them who hadn't any intention of stopping. Additionally, residents claimed that they were almost hit when they made their appropriate stop, and proceeded, and the other car didn't bother to stop at their sign, let alone yield right away. One day, this board decided to remove the stop signs, and we all drove out, and they were gone - done - our money spent, and safety stop signs - pulled for safety concerns.
The residents themselves, may have an answer, without going into the association's coffers. Wedgefield Crime Watch has been established by residents on FB. A resident has initiated a plan for local authorities to speak to us on the possibility of a neighborhood crime watch effort. Let's give these attempts a good, honest try. Obviously, this is a difficult, emotional decision for ANY board, but if you've made an attempt to survey, and two thirds said "no", it does beg the resident question:
"WHEN TWO THIRDS OF A COMMUNITY OBJECTS, HOW DO ONE THIRD GET TO TELL THE REST HOW TO LIVE?"
