SPEEDERS

I see not much has changed since a woman named Lian-Yin Shen was run down crossing Alcosta near Broadmoor and the City responded by saying there was no need for a stoplight.

And since the City Council threatened to sue Doug Burr for daring to question the City's authority to post speed limits.

I'm afraid even a tragic accident won't move the comfortable people who are currently managing San Ramon.

San Ramon is similar to other cities, where the crtieria for installing stoplights includes the frequency and severity of traffic incidents. While it is truly terrible Lian-Yin Shen was hurt on Alcosta, the one incident may not have met the criteria for placing a new traffic signal at that location.

The City of San Ramon was within its rights to sue a citizen who was attempting to circumvent the legal process for changing speed limits inside city limits (as I understand the issue and the basis for the suit). The City would have been correct to sue ME if I was the citizen doing what Mr. Burr was doing. It was not personal.

I lived in San Ramon and was actively involved with city government from 1994-2006, when I learned what a poorly functioning City Council looks like. Enjoy the professional people currently on your council, and the professional staff. Where I live now, the citizens just recalled five of the eight councilmembers because the citizens were unhappy with unprofessional conduct while firing a popular city manager, arrogance with the public, and councilmembers meeting outside public meetings. A "comfortable" functional council is exactly what the electorate here prefers.

Commenting on my topic. A lieutenant from the S.R.P.D. Called my home today ( I wonder how they got my unlisted telephone number?) and assured me that the department had been patrolling this street and the school, I said "No way!" I live on this street, work here and have friends in the neighborhood. Show me one ticket written on this street. He sounded like he was listening. Does it have to come to this, embarrassing a department on this forum? No I don't think it does, I just want to live in a neighborhood not a freeway, just like any of these officers who may or may not have kids. I have three kids and five grand-kids. These kids that go to school here are "my" kids. I will be the first one there if I can to protect one of these precious ones.

Ralph, perhaps they have your number from one of your prior calls? I would suggest that if you don't get the response that you feel is appropriate you contact Scott Holder, the chief directly.

Joe, you know better. You have been involved in the city for about as long as I have. Don't stoop to the level of fear mongering for the sake of an election cycle.

Paul is correct, he mentions the same things I do. There is a PROCESS which is both LEGAL and RESPONSIBLE in determining speed limits and placement of traffic control devices. The city can't just make it up as they go along, and you would not want them to do that.

We can stoplight and traffic signal this small city to death, and it still will not be the panacea we are all looking for in regard to speeders. We too, have a serious problem with speeders due, in part, to the location of California High School at the end of the street. Between the hours of 7:30-8:30 a.m. and again between 2:45 and 3:30, pretty heavy feet on vehicle accelerators, with people zooming up Ensenada Drive. We've lost several pets in recent years, mainly due to speeders. The San Ramon Police Department has tried and succeeded many times posting an officer at the corner, though methinks they should consider posting one by Granada @ Ensenada, to really see garnered speed from Del Mar traveling up Ensenada. I'm afraid the feeder streets of Santa Rosa and Loreto have some significant neighbors speeding every morning and down again in the evenings - these are residents folks, and they are often worse than the students from Cal High. We just need to keep vigilant because the Police Department has a NUMBER OF SUCH AREAS to police. My 30 year experience as a resident is that they have never failed to address one of our concerns. Just my experience.

Sincerely,

Ms. Bunny

I too live by an elementary school and see neighborhoods where stop sign running is rampant. If elected, you have my word that you will see a definite difference in safety as this is fixable. Doug and I will work together with the new council to put in place crisp decisive measures designed to sting speeders and stop sign runners.

I've seen it for too many years and there is no excuse to having this level of danger on our city streets. I am confident the Chief Holder will support our concern on this important topic. There are some very good and inexpensive ways to address this. Vote to change the old guard.

I participated in the CalTrans Community Safety conference over the last 3 days, where Safety is the number one priority even ahead of traffic congestion.

See www.smartvoter.org and JimBradyforCityCouncil.com

Meet me at: Jim Brady in the Park
When: Saturday, Noon to 2pm. October 31st.
Where: San Ramon Central Park - Picnic tables
If elected, we can be the difference.

Kind Regards,
Jim Brady

Jim, I'm curious as to how you approach this problem. Do you have specifics? I wonder what level of 'danger' you are referring to.

Jim, a car speeding toward you around forty miles an hour, while trying to cross the street, is that enough danger for you? I was driving Davona one day and saw a car in my rear view mirror doing at least forty, it came right up on my bumper at a stop sign, I flashed a two five with my fingers meaning 25 mph and the little punk girl just flipped me off. In my younger days I would have had road rage, getting out of my car and telling her what I think. But we have to keep to ourselves and bear the bad behavior of others. The specifics are WRITE THE DAMN TICKET!!!!!

Agreed, write the ticket. I have a M-class license as well which makes the situation you describe twice as dangerous. Good call on keeping a cool head.

I'm obtaining data from Chief Holders office. I will be submitting a plan to the Traffic Calming comittee. On more specifics, if interested we can over coffee. Ruggies at 7am on this Friday or Monday, let me know.

Jim Brady

Jim, San Ramon has a Transportation Advisory Committee, as well as a Traffic Calming Program. I'm sure your buddy Doug Burr can fill you in on the specifics. I'm pretty sure they don't need another 'plan'.

Ralph, I suggest you attend the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting and suggest that your area be studied for traffic calming measures. Lisa Bobadilla is the person in charge of that department and she would be more then willing to help you out.

Jim, Bob, Bunny I am beginning to get a taste of the politics of San Ramon by these statements and others. Does the California highway patrol have an transportation advisory committee, no, they have a mission. Simple. Patrol and ticket. It sounds to me like the S.R.P.D. is struggling or maybe their hands are tied. Do they have a mission to stop these three thousand pound projectiles, driven by the uncaring from terrorizing and in some cases injuring and killing our loved ones? I believe the "boots on the ground" can accomplish these safety issues THEREFORE eliminating the need to move it up to a higher power like a committee. Individuals who care, trump the government every time! Bye the way I think I will run for Mayor. Good common horse sense could solve most all of the problems we have.

To all,

It doesn't take any more "committees" of any kind - it takes manpower and let's face it - the local police cannot be everywhere in our town to cite speeders. This isn't "rocket science" guy's...
We go through this from time to time like every city. It's simply good to bring it to the attention of the SRPD and remind them, particularly at this time of year, of the issue with speeders and point out areas specifically where we feel there is a problem. No need to make this a convaluted issue because it ISN'T. Just BASIC
in a any town USA...We just have to be vigilant in reporting and reminding one and all...<geez, give it a rest boys>

Ms. Bunny

Ralph, we can't put a cop at every stop sign and we can't put a stop sign at every intersection. We have a speeding problem in certain areas of the city. One example was Veracruz, which at times was like the Indy 500 with cars bypassing Alcosta to shortcut to Montevideo. The TAC, by using the Traffic Calming program, place speed humps on Veracruz to slow the traffic down.

There is a very chronic set of traffic problems around every school in San Ramon. The City, in cooperation with the school district works very hard to get on top of these issues.

Traffic problems are solved by using the three E's. Enforcement, engineering and education. All three need to be used to solve your problem.