Archive

Beeton needs to grow a backbone

September 5, 2013   ·   0 Comments

Dear editor:

Beeton’s Main Street has an increasingly crucial problem. Large transports and dump trucks are using Beeton as their private short cut to and from the 400. The Town authorities have done absolutely nothing about it. There needs to be constant police radar checks in downtown Beeton to discourage the speeding “big bullies” from using Beeton as a NASCAR shortcut.

No thanks to the local papers, but thanks to Concerned Citizens, we learned that a woman was almost liked at about 6 p.m. on Friday, August 16th trying to cross Main Street. Her dog was killed by the speeding vehicle. It took the cops 40 minutes to arrive on scene, according to Concerned Citizens. Meanwhile, the slobs driving the big transports just drove around her injured as she was, nearly running her over, again according to the letter by Concerned Citizens. Nice guys.

I agree we need another traffic light at Main and Centre. Eventually we will need a traffic light at Dayfoot and Main with the mess the Town is allowing to take shape on Dayfoot (which is rapidly becoming a major artery). We need cops who busy themselves nailing real lawbreakers and not picking on kids smoking a tobacco cigarette in their car and not bullying little shop keepers who protect themselves from criminals! The cops don’t need booze cans on the 4th floor at Police Headquarters in Toronto either! We need police officers to do their jobs. Control these damned big trucks! If these bohemoths were roaming through Alliston, we’d see action.

It’s time for Beeton folks to grow a backbone. Raise hell! Protest! Let these shake hands, kiss baby politicians know you’re not going to take it any more!

Gord Kinnon,

New Tecumseth

Editor’s Note: A copy of this letter (and my notes) has been sent to the Mayor of the Town of New Tecumseth, Mike MacEachern, as well as Beeton Councillor Richard Norcross. I carbon-copied Inspector Dirk Cockburn, Detachment Commander at the Nottawasaga OPP as well. My understanding Gord, is that the Town and the OPP have already taken a stand on this truck problem. They certainly aren’t denying that there is a problem – which is a start. Although they can suggest that trucks not use the “Beeton Bypass” they cannot prevent it. Setting up OPP sting operations to catch speeders is another method, which will at least slow these “big bullies”, down. However I don’t think it’s the best use of our policing dollars. What needs to happen, in my opinion, is this: Signage needs to be erected – to re-direct truckers – AT THE SITE where they are leaving from. For example, the Previn Court build in Alliston (King at Industrial). This signage should be paid for by the builders themselves, who are obviously not encouraging their drivers to stop using Beeton as a bypass to Hwy. 400 (and/or cannot control what’s happening once the truck has left the site). Then, someone should literally stand and count the trucks that pass through Beeton, and as the case may be, Tottenham as well. Builders who respect our municipality, thus reducing the number of trucks associated with their site in our downtown cores, should be given preferential treatment on future builds during the application process. New Tecumseth needs to work with the companies that respect our communities! Stop lights and police checks won’t stop the problem. Working with our community development partners will. Hitting the developers, not the municipality, in the pocketbook is the preferred solution.

P.S. – Here is what I got from the OPP regarding the accident that took place in Beeton on August16th: Sorry, I was off and those covering for me didn’t send one out.

“We don’t always do up media releases for motor vehicle collisions, but here are the details: In summary, a  motorist leaving work was looking to turn left onto Main Street from Centre Street. Female pedestrian decided to cross at the uncontrolled intersection. Both driver and pedestrian made sure it was clear to proceed before going. Motorist made the left and struck the pedestrian who didn’t see the car coming. As far as injuries, pedestrian was transported to Sunnybrook for surgery.

The investigating officer will (provide) an update after Sept 9th when he returns to work and contacts the pedestrian’s husband who will provide him with the details”.

Readers Comments (0)