Concerned Moms and Kids Protest Against Unsafe Crosswalks

Traffic comes and goes from all directions at the intersection of Washington and Carter.  Deeply concerned mothers accompanied by children occupied all four corners of the intersection Monday, Nov. 4.  Among the protesting adults were Gwen Judd (pictured), Bev Coleman, Amber Brandt, Julie Mann and Colleen Temple. (photo by Dixie A. Walter)

Minutes before the morning madness at the intersection of Washington Ave. N. and Carter St., crossing guard Sherry Potts allows protesting moms to cross the state highway.  The sign reads, "It's not a matter of if, but when.  Stop before you take a life."  (photo by Dixie A. Walter)

Moms and Kids Want Safety at Crosswalks

     by Dixie A. Walter

     It was a seemingly peaceful Monday morning at the intersection of Washington Avenue North. (Hwy 161) and Carter Street.

    But within minutes the intersection became the most dangerous place in town, for the most precious members of town, our kids. The danger began as students of Eatonville Middle and Elementary schools began their twice-daily walk to school.

    This treacherous situation prompted some area mothers and their children to stage a protest Monday, Nov. 4. According to one mother, Gwen Judd, a meeting had been held “last Tuesday,” (Oct. 29) at the school to discuss this potentially deadly set of circumstances.

     Judd said few people attended the meeting. She also said, “The mayor, a town council member and the school superintendent were invited, but didn’t come to the meeting.”

      For about 20 minutes the intersection is literally packed with traffic and children. One mother flatly stated, “It’s not if a child gets killed. It’s when.” The mothers are not exaggerating the danger. Any citizen can stand on one of the four corners and immediately understand how perilous the intersection is.

      Sherry Potts is the lone, beleaguered crossing guard. During this intense time of the morning, and equally intense time when school lets out, Potts is the sole custodian of your child, grandchild, niece and nephew. This woman is completely focused on protection of the youngsters.

     Recently she was forced to jump in front of a vehicle heading for three little ones. Potts explained that the vehicle “stopped about six inches from my knees.” She added, “The driver didn’t see the kids, they are only about waist high.” This person was not paying attention and forgot to stop.

     During the quiet protest the driver of a van did the same thing, only stopping when Potts got into the crosswalk with her sign. Before this happened, concerned mom Gwen Judd noted there had been, “Five near misses this year already. And it’s early November.”

      One crossing guard covering four corners, all of which lead to schools and a busy state highway, is a Herculean undertaking. If Sherry Potts didn’t do it so well, people would swear it couldn’t be done.

       Adding to the danger has been weeks of constant and overlapping construction in the area. However, Monday morning construction had not yet started, so blame for that morning’s near miss can’t be placed there. The roads fill with cars, pickups, school buses and enormous trucks. Potts pointed out the drivers for Randles Sand & Gravel are aware of the children and drive very slowly through the intersection. The same cannot be said for some other outsized vehicles, trucks or cars.

     Traffic gets backed up, especially on the highway; drivers get frustrated, kids are in a hurry, and there’s not a police car in sight. The mothers say the police are rarely in the area at that time. They remember, “Last year the cops would sit and eat breakfast at The Bakery, but wouldn’t help with traffic [control].” 

     A woman whose home is on one of the corners came to the door and complimented the mothers for their actions, “I’ve lived here for six years and I think it’s [the protest] a good idea.” Some passing drivers honked in support, and a few signaled with peace signs.

     All concerned question why the school hasn’t hired a second crossing guard. Potts, who has worked as a guard for about a year (she volunteered prior to that time), mentioned that volunteers are great but they can’t always be counted on. She is paid about $1,100 per year.    

     The hazards are so great many parents are driving their children to the schools, even if it’s only a few blocks. This added traffic becomes part of the problem. However, no one can fault parents for shielding their young ones from danger. Soon the last of the construction work will be finished. But the growing frustration and fear of parents, kids and Sherry Potts will not end until a permanent solution is found to this potentially lethal situation.,

"Pity the poor kids who grow up in a big city. They miss the little things that made growing up in a small town, ah, so wonderful."
~Tom Morrow