‘Sight obstructions’

Dear Editor:

This week we received a photo showing the results of hurried removal of many trees of a “road allowance” north of Belleville. I was aghast at the brutish slashing required to clear site-lines along the road allowance.

Readers may wonder: so what’s the problem, that we in Wellington County need to hear about this possible “non-event”?

Well the truth is that when road crews are not allowed to use long-employed methods to prevent brush growth, entrance to a roadway from anywhere, drivers must venture into the traveled portion of a thoroughfare before being able to see oncoming traffic. Which in turn causes the angry citizens to start harping about speed limits in their locality.

There is no getting away from the fact that high speed increases chances of fatality, yet when a vehicle driver or pedestrian has a clear view of traffic oncoming, and is able to gauge speed from a proper safe location, chances of mishap are drasticially reduced.

So, if we wish to drive safely and not have big brother reduce traffic to a crawl on a widespread basis, we need to allow our municipal crews the necessary latitude to complete their work with minimum of expense.

Should the reader of this rant say “damn the expense,” then she/he could very well back that complaint by approaching said municipality and signing a declaration that you wish to foot the bill for extra expenses incurred for all municipalities burdened, by your wishes.

The writer of this letter has kept the area between our fence line and traveled portion of our local roadway (Jones Baseline)clear of any sight obstruction for roughly 30 years.

Wayne Gates,
Guelph/Eramosa