Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 4 · column 1 of 3 · from the scan, no model involved
Prepare to stop
and businesses along Main Street in the Town of _L Washington have been talking, attending town council meetings, gathering signatures and snapping pictures of speeding motorists. The topic has come up at the Washington Hospitality and Visitors Association and most notably during the last sheriffs election when all three candidates came to address the group - high on the list of concerns was how they would handle the speeding problem on Main Street.
Dave Cubbage from the Virginia Department of Transportation has come to the town on numerous occasions offering advice about various techniques to try and slow the traffic down. The subject has been debated and talked to death.
Since the Washington Town Council typically only meets once a month, if an issue, like this one, isn’t resolved, it bounces out to surface the following month for either more discussion or action.
The issue is now going to a public hearing on March 12 to gather yet more input. Undoubtedly, the same faces will be there to lobby for the same issue that has concerned them since last year and before if you'want to pour through old issues of this paper.
Some have argued that rather than a stop sign, a warning sign be put up about stiff fees for speeding in the town - if those were to be imposed.
The challenge that a stop sign will present is not so much for those unfamiliar with Rappahannock County and the Town of Washington - but those who are - the locals.
It is they who typically speed down Main Street after exiting US 211 or roaring into town off Fodders tack. And it doesn’t matter if you are driving a pickup truck or a sedan or whether you’ve lived here all your life or are relatively new - everyone seems to be in a hurry these days.
The Town of Washington doesn’t have sidewalks down Main Street. Those walking hover to either side.
If you are visiting the town and staying at one of the bed and breakfasts, having a dinner at the Inn or taking a peek into Geneva’s gallery or the Ballards, you are probably not in a hurry. If you’re like Miss Mary who walks each day to the post office or Mr. Buntin who is usually out for a daily constitutional, you don’t see them sprinting. The cafe makes a mean carrot cake and if you’re hungry for a sweet treat in the afternoon, you aren’t in any hurry walking there either.
It would seem to be a non-issue that slowing down through a town is something that would be ingrained into everyone’s consciousness, but it’s not.
Thus, enter the stop sign. Well, maybe.
AD of the town council members have heard about the concern over speeding motorists. Most of them are convinced that putting up a stop sign is worth the try.
What is it going to take? Already several pets have died. Will it take a child?
Put up the stop sign.
months and months and months, residents
91.0%