Some feel it's their government given right to be anywhere anytime. It won't change next year. I just hope Retired Army doesn't get run over again.
As my children anxiously awaited the start of the Columbia County Merchants Association parade on Sunday for more than an hour and a half, it was with concern that I noted a large number of folks lining up along the barricades at the end of the parade route.
After being told to move from this location by a Columbia County Sheriff's deputy, the crowd parted only to form again a short time later. The second time the officer asked the spectators to move, he told them only to move from half of the street, so as to allow the large trucks and trailers more room to negotiate the turn into SRP Credit Union's parking lot.
My concern is not that my children's view was hampered by these folks, but by the mere danger of setting up chairs and parking strollers at the end of the route, where, God forbid, a vehicle could have careened into the crowd.
I noticed several of the larger trucks, particularly the wreckers, had difficulty making this turn, and I'm sure they could have used extra room -- room that was being occupied by spectators -- to make the turn.
Haven't we learned from accidents in other parts of the country that this just isn't safe?
I hope at next year's parade this issue will be handled by simply making all spectators line the streets, not be in the streets. It's for everyone's safety that I encourage this.
Deborah Steele, Martinez
Comments
Some feel it's their government given right to be anywhere anytime. It won't change next year. I just hope Retired Army doesn't get run over again.
A vehicle could have careened into the crowd? Isn't that about as likely to happen as, a Vehicle may have exploded? Or how about a vehicle may sprout wings and attempt to jet off into the sky? I think this lady ought to get a grip and worry about her children and let the rest of us do the same. I am deeply troubled that parents are forcing children to stand in the cold for ! 1/2 hours for the start of parades, when it is so unneccessary!!!
lol, disss, that was probably the primary point of this letter. I wonder if there may be some kind of child abuse charge in this confessional LTE.
Will the do-gooders never stop!? As a military spouse I have lived in many locales and never have I lived in one with so many do-gooders! I wish some of these people spent as much time taking care of their own as they do worrying about everyone else!!
You people obviously don't care about safety. I am the letter writer here and I can assure you that my children are taken care of more so than most who live in this country. And, no, I'm not a do-gooder as redapples suggests. I'm a stay-at-home mom who happens to care about the safety of not just my children, but ALL people. Perhaps you'd be better off if you cared more for others instead of just thinking of yourself!
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