Speeding along West Gypsy Lane Road needs to be addressed, according to one Bowling Green resident.
Matt Sayer spoke to city council at its meeting Monday about speeding issues on West Gypsy Lane Road and the need for better enforcement.
Sayer said he spoke to council on the matter nine months ago, and at that time had asked whether a plan could be proposed to address issues of speeding on West Gypsy Lane. He said he had come in on Monday to ask about any updates on the matter. Sayer said he had been in contact with city officials through various means but that, to his knowledge, there had not been a plan proposed or discussed.
“West Gypsy Lane Road is a thoroughfare that has a 35 miles per hour speed limit on it,” Sayer said. “I’m not lobbying for it to be lowered, just enforced. It intersects with a bike path, it has at least four bus stops daily, it has a summer marathon, many families, pets and children live there, mine included.
“I guarantee if any of you lived on that road, something would be done about it,” he continued. “I’d like to ask, what can be done to solve this problem.”
During Mayor Mike Aspacher’s report to council, council President Mark Hollenbaugh asked if Aspacher could relay Sayers concerns to Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter – who also acts as the city’s public safety director – and Police Chief Mark Hetrick.
Aspacher said he could appreciate Sayer’s frustration, but that Sayer was inaccurate when he said that the city doesn’t enforce the speed limit on West Gypsy Lane. Aspacher said he is aware that police do enforce traffic and speed limits on that street.
“It’s impossible for our police to be on any one street in the city at all times to be able to identify” speeders, Aspacher said, noting that police will continue to monitor speed limits on West Gypsy Lane “in the fashion that they currently do, which I believe is appropriate.”
Aspacher said that he would pass on Sayer’s concerns to Tretter and Hetrick.
In other business, council:
• Introduced, gave three readings to, and unanimously passed legislation concerning the city’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds. The city received more than $7.3 million in funding through ARPA, and had previously designated approximately $6.9 million. Council’s Committee of the Whole met on Feb. 20 to discuss how to move forward with the remaining balance of ARPA monies. At that meeting, council decided to designate $100,000 for a Main Street study on pedestrian and bicycle improvements, and $150,000 on sidewalk connections. Further, council decided to designate more than $342,000 that is not obligated by the end of the year for previously-designated projects and 2024 capital expenses. Monday’s legislation reflected those decisions.
• Heard from Lindsay Jo Durham, secretary of the BGO Pride Association, who spoke on the issue of violence against transgender people.
“It is disheartening that in the 21st century, when we pride ourselves on progress and inclusivity, transgender people still face alarming rates of physical and verbal abuse,” Durham said, saying later that “in condemning violence against trans people, we must actively engage in conversations that challenge stereotypes, promote empathy, and foster understanding. … By standing united against transphobia, we can strive for a future where everyone is free to express their authentic selves, without the threat of violence looming overhead.”
• Heard from Jo Ascunce of Citizens for BG Dog Parks, who said that the group is looking forward to an upcoming public meeting concerning the park.
“We continue to look forward to working with the city to make this park a reality,” she said.
Council member Damon Sherry, who chairs the Parks, Recreation and Public Lands Committee, noted that a meeting will be held March 18 at 6 p.m. to discuss the lease agreement and location for the dog park.
