By Connie Tabbert
Editor
COBDEN — Another appeal has been made to Whitewater Region Township council for a street light to be erected at the intersection of Cedar Haven and Foresters Falls roads.
Gerry Brown told council at its June 25 meeting that he had been a camper for many years and is now a resident. In the late fall and throughout the winter months, that intersection is dangerous, he said.
“Is there any chance of improving that corner,” he questioned.
In the past few years, the number of people who have moved into that area is 100 or more and there is countless traffic that cuts through, he said.
He realizes there is no infrastructure there for a street light, which doesn’t make it any easier to install one.
Reeve Don Rathwell said since amalgamation there have been various people who have asked for a street light to be installed there. However, since it’s a county intersection, council has not been able to do anything except make an appeal to the county to install a light.
He believes the intersection was made worse when the county moved the road and now forces people to slow down to a more dangerous speed to turn.
The county did agree to put up reflective lights, but that has not helped, Reeve Rathwell said.
“I don’t know why there hasn’t been a serious accident there,” he said.
Councillor Joey Trimm said this is not the first time he has heard about this dangerous intersection. However, it’s not cost that is keeping the county from installing a light, but that the intersection does not meet the county’s criteria for having a street light there, he explained.
“I would be strongly in favour of petitioning the county to get a light there,” he said.
He noted he would be “hesitant to pay for a light on someone else’s property.”
Coun. Trimm also wants the township to develop criteria for installing street lights.
Councillor Cathy Regier agreed that it’s a dangerous intersection.
“Something needs to be done there,” she said. “Perhaps solar energy would be an option for the county.”
Public works manager Bill Misener noted in the winter the roads crew have a hard time with this intersection as well.
Council passed a motion directing staff to contact the county about having a street light installed at this intersection.
“We’ll investigate it and inform you of what the county decides,” Mayor Jim Labow told Mr. Brown.
