Dear Editor,
Regards and a blessed 2012 to each and every member of Linden /Region 10. Let us each singularly and collectively make an effort to shape and fashion our community /Region in the way in which we desire it.
Whatever else might be amiss with the newly built state-of-the-art hospital complex in Linden, patients, staff and residents have a frequent complaint, one that really boggles the mind or “twast yuh up,“ to use the more emphatic slang of the everyday people. How on earth after erecting such a massive institution at a towering cost, just outside the gates the road and parking area can be left in such a disreputable state? The road from the junction by the old hospital to a little past this new one near the Watooka Club – not quite 300 yards – has been in a wretched condition for the longest while, and though residents have been complaining ad nauseam it seems this has been falling on deaf ears.
And isn’t it somewhat ironic that a hospital should have a road immediately leading to it in a permanently deplorable condition? Tell me, which is it? Is it that those in authority don’t care, or is repairing this short stretch of road too tall an order requiring rocket science skills?
Let’s move on along the same line: Why is it that with every raindrop our roads and streets easily come apart? Why is it that with every thimbleful of rainfall we continue to witness flooding of roads and drains in spite of all that is said, with fantastic sums of money spent to alleviate and prevent such regular occurrence?
Also why do we wait until a pothole has expanded to cover the entire width of the road before it is given consideration, or until a very large section of the street is virtually impassable? At the corner of Pine Street and Dageraad Avenue is a typical and sickening example. Now this is an area where the traffic is relentless, so why is it given no attention? Sometimes one gets the impression that the top functionaries‘ mode of transportation is anything but earthbound, or that they walk around with eyes ‘wide shut.‘
From my humble perspective I would have thought that there was a permanent team tasked mainly with the repair of roads as soon as problems are identified, along with the stockpiling of building materials so as not to cause delay or extensive deterioration – doesn’t this sound logical? Isn’t it time that some of the dispiriting feelings that Lindeners experience with regard to the slightest change in weather be allayed rather than strengthened? Like the woman I heard who was about to leave home saying to her daughter, “Come carry this one back and bring meh boots; the rain only gah fuh mek up he face an them streets does flood.“ Let us all work and hope that 2012 is not the same old same old, half a dozen of one and six of the other.
And lastly, with much concern I want to appeal to impolite, unconscionable, silly drivers who use their blinding high beam at night in an irresponsible manner that can cause accidents; these drivers do not, no matter the number of pleading signals from drivers in the opposite direction, ever respond by dimming their lights.
This just isn’t good and does not seem to be something that can be easily curbed by the Traffic Department but instead depends totally on drivers themselves to exercise more care, consideration and courtesy. They should be less selfish and dumb; if they are not, it’s only a matter of time before something regrettable happens. And by the way, are we waiting for another tragic occurrence on our highway before the Traffic Department can properly begin to monitor the conduct of those massive heavy-duty lumber trucks/low beds that ply the highway night and day in any condition and in a don’t-give-a-damn manner? Some have no reflectors and inadequate lights and park wherever. Can’t the police Traffic Department be more proactive and not only get into a frenzy when there is an accident?
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe
