By MIKE RUSSO
Despite the traffic light in front of the church, which is also a school, motorists on Merrick Road often pass by at high speed, and there have been numerous accidents and injuries because of it. St. Christopher's parishioners and parents hope that two new street signs, and two LED signs that display drivers' speeds, will slow them down.
The church held a press conference Nov. 18, which was attended by county Legislator Joe Scannell (D-Baldwin), Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Senior Town Councilman Anthony Santino. The Rev. Steven Camp said that the project would not have been possible without the persistence of spotlight-shy parent Catherine Dara, whom Camp credits with spearheading efforts to make local legislators aware of the need for the signs.
"On behalf of the student body to our elected officials," Camp told the lawmakers, "I thank you for everything you've done to make this possible."
Student body President Caroline Brown made a brief presentation on behalf of St. Christopher's students, in which she commended the legislators for helping to improve their quality of life at the school. "These signs will help ensure our safety as we arrive and depart from school each day," said Brown. "St. Christopher's is located on a busy corner, and the slowing of traffic is important to us."
Kathleen Goold, a teacher at the school, said it is a great relief to finally get the signs, because she recalls two elderly people dying after being hit by cars. Goold's own son might have been killed by a fast-moving car if not for the quick thinking of a crossing guard, who pulled him back just in time.
"There's been a fight for years to get [the signs]," said Goold. "I can appreciate the absolute need for them. It's very valid and very needed."
Scannell received $80,000 to buy and install the signs, which he requested from the county by way of a community revitalization project application. Scannell said that as a Baldwin resident who walks his own young children to school every day, he knows the danger of crossing busy streets where motorists don't always obey the speed limits.
"When you're standing here next to this road instead of just driving on it, it is incredible how many people just don't pay attention and are speeding," Scannell said. "This is really what it's all about for me as your county legislator: proliferating projects that make you safer, your parents safer, your kids safer, your students safer, everybody safer here in Baldwin."
Murray said that it is her duty as a government official to help students get to school safe and sound, and that everyone has to be reminded from time to time to slow down when they are driving near a school. She said the signs would become even more important as the Grand Avenue and Merrick Road downtown revitalization project gets under way early next year.
"While [Merrick Road] is a county road, we in the Town of Hempstead are very concerned about your safety as well, and so we're working together cooperatively, and we do that a lot," said Murray. "As we go forward, the whole bottom half of Grand Avenue is going to be revitalized through a town project, so even more folks will be coming to this area to shop. So these speed signs will become even more important."
Santino said that while there are larger issues that may seem more important than street signs, he can't think of anything more important than doing something to help save lives. "This is local government at its best," he said. "It's the town and the county working together to serve a very critical problem here in Baldwin. People working together, not being partisan, not being political, and being truly public servants who address a need in the community, find a way to solve it, and work together to get it done."
Comments about this story? MRusso@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
