Children’s safety needs to come first

On Sept. 16 and again on Nov. 18, Dawn Christensen appeared before the Marion City Council asking that a crosswalk be moved or stop signs/stoplight be placed on 29th Avenue in front of the new Novak Elementary School.

As is the case with this council, nothing has been done. It seems that whenever a citizen or business has a problem that should be resolved by the city, they are ignored. How long did it take the council to give $7.2 million to the Marion Economic Development Corporation for the mess they are creating out by the Marion Airport?

At her appearance on Nov. 18, Christensen advised the council there had been an accident at this location involving a pedestrian and a vehicle. The pedestrian was a parent of an elementary student.

Mayor Rehn advised he would get with the city manager and engineer to discuss this. Do we have to have a fatality before the city will address or take any action?

Take a look at the other elementary schools in town. Emerson Elementary has four-way stop signs. So does Indian Creek Elementary. Why is Novak any different then these two?

Mr. Mayor, do the right thing and make it safe for these children to cross the street.

Dwight A. Hogan

Marion