The Stonington Intelligencer
In My Opinion...
Guidelines
In My Opinion... is a new feature of The Stonington Intelligencer through which residents and friends of Stonington Borough are offered a platform in which to discuss life in the Borough. In My Opinion... is a sort of open cyber-soap-box, but with a few provisos. First of all, the topics raised should be of local interest - your thoughts on Hillary, Rudi, W, illegal immigration, and abortion, for instance - have many venues where they can be publicized, but In My Opinion... is not one of these. Second, it is not a place to complain about your neighbor's dog or cat or noisy children. Oh, you can write "I think there should be no pets in the Borough" and detail your reasons, but you cannot say "Mrs S's Yorkie uses my portulaca bed a toilet and she pretends not to notice" - even if said Yorkie is a "gross offender" and Mrs S a big fibber. Finally, while we all have things to complain about, it is far more useful if we can also offer solutions. If you want to point out a problem, try to include a way you think it might be resolved.
The Stonington Intelligencer has standards for punctuation. spelling, type size and so forth that it adheres to mostly in an effort to make things tidy and easy-to-read. We also like to correct obvious typos, not with any desire to "change" or edit anyone's words but to prevent other's from drawing quick conclusions on account of misspellings etc.
And now, the floor is open to you. Please submit your In My Opinion... articles here.
Dividing Line
(Posted 22 August 2007)
Someone has to step into the abyss and begin the conversation about what is, or for that matter is not, happening in and around the Borough.
I volunteer.
My topic, called ’ÄúDividing Line’Äù is about the obvious missing lines that ought to divide Main Street from Cannon Square to Library (Wadawanuck) Square.
Recently I had a discussion with a few members of the Borough road crew and Borough Warden Don Maranell. I explained how the traffic from Cannon Square to Library Square seems nearly impossible to navigate due in part that the roadway is narrower now than it was in some places prior to the road being resurfaced a number of years ago, when the granite curbs and sidewalks were also being replaced or renewed in most areas along this route.
I was informed about how the Borough has to follow certain guidelines set for roadways by the State and the Feds and it seems, like many things today, what is mandated is largely unfunded. We talked about signage to slow traffic to the 20 MPH (Borough ordinance) for this section of street. I asked why not find the center of the street and paint a line down it to reduce the free-for-all that is particularly evident as tourists and residents look at the houses or ocean views, try to carry on a conversation on their cell phones, or attempt to not be squashed by an oil or propane truck coming their way at a rate of speed that renders most to hope their side view mirror will not be torn off at the very least. That is to say nothing of those children, including my own, who take their lives in their hands every time they travel on this street. I’Äôm not saying that a line would end all the above, but it might help establish where each side begins and ends. With no line it is very difficult to keep to one’Äôs designated side of the street unless the other vehicle is cutting their half out of the middle of the street. I fully support the Borough’Äôs attempts, especially recently, to mitigate problems like these, especially excessive speed via proper signage and lines elsewhere in the Borough. It would be great if we could avoid a serious accident or worse by using what is available to us to lessen the risks to cars, bicycles, and pedestrians. Thanks for your time and consideration to this accident waiting to happen.
Carter R. James
14 Main & The Custom House