Sandusky/Crawford light to stay with changes to its cycle

After hearing concerns from the police and a resident, the Upper Sandusky Safety Committee voted Monday night to rescind its decision to remove the traffic light at the Sandusky Avenue and Crawford Street intersection.
Currently the lights operate on a regular cycle from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. From 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., the light flashes yellow to keep traffic moving along Sandusky Avenue and flashes red to direct Crawford Street traffic to stop at the intersection. The committee voted to change the cycle to keep the light flashing yellow on Sandusky Avenue and red on Crawford Street 24 hours a day.
“I’m suggesting we get a sign up saying, ‘Look for these changes,’ within a month or two before the change,” Upper Sandusky Police Chief David Olds said. “Then keep it up for a month or two after the change so people have time to get used to it.
“Time-wise, I’m suggesting about three to four months before you make the change,” Olds added.
After months of debate, the safety committee voted in March to remove the light and put up stops signs for the Crawford Street traffic. Robin Schuster, owner of Schuster’s Flowers, which is located at the corner of Sandusky and Crawford, told the committee Monday he did not want a stop sign in his parking lot.
“I talked to (Street Supervisor Allen) Boes and he said they would probably put up a stop sign on Crawford Street, which is in the middle of my parking lot,” Schuster said. “When cars are parked there, I don’t know if people will see a stop sign.”
Olds also spoke out against adding a stop sign.
“My thoughts are if we dig a hole and put a pole in the ground, it would get hit,” Olds said.
After more debate, the committee concluded that having the light flash red for Crawford Street traffic would have the same effect as a stop sign.
Also Monday, the city announced representatives will be speaking to the owners of the  house at 208 W. Bigelow St. that was destroyed by fire last September.
“It’s a safety hazard,” Councilman Scot Swinehart said. “The windows are open and I’m scared kids are going to go in there and get hurt. Maybe it can at least be boarded up.”
According to the Wyandot County Auditor’s website, the home is owned by former city employee Neil Billeg, who is serving a seven-year prison sentence for having sex with a juvenile.
The Division of State Fire Marshal has ruled the fire was intentionally set.
“The fire marshal has completed his investigation and I’m sure there are some steps that we can take to expedite it,” Fire Chief Bill Sturgeon said. “It is the homeowner’s responsibility.”
Lastly, Olds announced the finishing touches are being put on the police department’s two newest cruisers.
“The new vehicles were striped this weekend and they are being outfitted as we speak,” Olds said.

By CHANDA NEELY
Staff writer

Posted by Daily Chief on April 3, 2012. Filed under Local News,Recent Headlines. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry