Parents, Elected Officials and Law Enforcement Form "Vote No on Issue 97 South Euclid" committee to keep residents safe

SOUTH EUCLID, OH, October 19, 2011 (Press-News.org) A local campaign committee has been formed by South Euclid parents, elected officials and law enforcement officers to persuade voters to keep the city's traffic safety program, called Making Our Streets Safe (MOSS).

South Euclid Councilman Ed Icove, the committee's spokesperson, said the committee, Vote No on Issue 97 South Euclid, wants voters to understand the facts of the city's traffic safety program before they head to the polls on Tuesday, November 8th.

"This program is about the safety of our community," Icove said. "We want city residents to know how safety cameras are slowing drivers down and protecting children, pedestrians, and all of our residents."

The program has had a dramatically positive impact in South Euclid since the city started using the camera in the late spring of 2011, as the number of speeding violations issued is down 31 percent where the camera has been deployed on residential streets.

For South Euclid resident Frank Andorka, voting NO on Issue 97 is a matter of protecting his children and other kids.

"The camera has been on my street, and it has made drivers aware of their speed," said Andorka, the father of two children. "Cars would speed through the neighborhood, and I really worried about it, particularly when thinking about my 13-year-old daughter. This is a proven way to protect her safety and that of other kids in the neighborhood."

Another resident, Nancy Schaumburg, believes the traffic safety program has been a success.

"I only wish that we had this program when my kids were really young," she said. "I've even talked to friends who say that their teen-agers like them because they're a reminder to slow down. When it comes down to it, this is about protecting kids and residents."

The city's single, mobile traffic camera is placed in a SUV, which is located on residential side streets. Often times, the van is parked in neighborhoods where residents have requested the camera. The police department announces the location of the camera and posts signs warning drivers that the van is nearby. Drivers are cited if they are traveling 11 m.p.h. or over the posted speed limit.

"Without question, drivers are paying attention to their speed," said Police Chief Kevin Nietert, who is volunteering with the committee.

Councilwoman Ruth Gray, who chairs city council's public safety committee, is a strong advocate for MOSS because her life stories underscore the importance of traffic safety. Her son and grandson were both hit by cars and a cousin of hers was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by a drunk driver traveling more than 60 m.p.h. down a side street in Cleveland.

"I'm for this program because it's a way to protect residents from suffering that same kind of loss," Gray said. "I don't want to see any of our kids get hurt if we can prevent it."

Paid for by the Vote No on Issue 97 South Euclid
Frank Andorka, Treasurer
4532 Rainbow Road
South Euclid, OH 44121