Road Safety in Wasaga Beach

I was right about those who support Council booing those they disagreed with. No attempts were made to control the behaviour. Sadly, many people who may have wanted to speak would not have stood up because it’s not easy to ask tough questions when the audience is encouraged by the mayor to disrespect you. Sad!

It also sounds like I was right a few months ago in announcing Costco would be coming to the west end of Ramblewood. As a Costco shopper I look forward to it being closer. As a business in town, every business should pay attention. The diversity of products offered in Costco will affect all corners of Wasaga Beach. If there is a full service gas station, it will always be cheaper. Pet food, Hardware, Groceries, Jewellery, appliances, even optical services will be affected by this arrival. If there is a propane filling station, it will be about $14.00 for your tank. Services like flooring, windows etc are offered and this may affect local businesses. Yes…. They even sell Ice Cream!

I don’t think my personal visits to Costco will increase in value. In fact, having it local might mean my average purchase will be less but my visits more frequent.

But at tonight’s public meeting, I hope Council was truly listening to the concerns of those who will be affected by the traffic generated by this big box giant.

The concerns I heard were very legitimate and in some instances were simply dismissed.

So, what COULD the town (Council) do to mitigate these concerns? PLENTY!

First of all, the taxes collected once that property is occupied should allow some increased spending on safety right?

How about a sign at Ramblewood and 45th saying no through traffic and even specifically adding “business park access via Mosley Street.”

Heck, they could even turn the last block of Ramblewood into a one way street with “do not enter” signs at Cherry Sands Cr..

I suspect once it is open, the absolute minimum residents of that neighborhood should expect are “No Trucks” signs. Once it opens, it will be the only Costco between Brampton, Barrie and London (unless Owen Sound gets one too) So it will be BUSY, BUSY, BUSY, with TRUCKS, TRUCKS, TRUCKS. Those trucks should not go through residential neighborhoods to cut a few minutes off of their night time deliveries.

I have spoken to many Costco employees over the last few months. One is a close friend. They are apparently a great employer and this will result in many local jobs. Many Costco employees are already Wasaga Beach residents and look forward to transferring to this location.

Shockingly for me, I did not hear any commitment at the Town Hall to exercise every speed control technique possible and I think that is an essential element even WITHOUT the coming store.

There are hundreds of school children in danger daily. We heard tonight that runners and other pedestrians have almost been hit in recent months.

Add stop signs! Add chicanes! Employ lane narrowing techniques with both paint and collapsible obstruction poles!

Sure we heard that traffic enforcement cameras may soon be added. That will certainly discourage a few and raise a few dollars for Council, but other measures will actually slow people down.

I know from talking to people out in Marlwood that simply adding speed bumps is not the answer on its own. People still fly into the bumps and then, it becomes a MASSIVE noise issue with long time residents regretting ever asking for the bumps.

More attention needs to be paid to the safety of our pedestrian population (and cyclists, etc).

Prior to hearing those who spoke tonight, I had no idea how unsafe it had become. It’s time to act! No “studies”. Start with the section of road in front of EVERY school in Wasaga Beach. Take ALL measures possible to increase safety!

Our Council may have to postpone a concert or two in order to act without big tax increases, but so what… employ these safety measures in EVERY school zone NOW! It is the minimum we should expect from our elected officials.