Our view: City driving: Lights make sense

Opinion

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November 19, 2009

Anonymous The Salem News Thu Nov 19, 2009, 06:00 AM EST

Like them or not, traffic signals are essential to pedestrian and driver safety in heavily congested urban areas such as downtown Salem. Thus we'd encourage the Driscoll administration to move forward with plans to signalize the busy intersection where Derby Street connects with Congress Street and Hawthorne Boulevard. For the unwary visitor, negotiating this crossing near Pickering Wharf can be as daunting as exiting Logan Airport; and even the most seasoned local is never quite sure who has the right of way.

While some don't like having to wait, predictions of gridlock that have accompanied plans for new traffic signals in other downtown locations like Riley Plaza and the intersection of Bridge and Washington streets have proved to be overblown. While some remain skeptical (see letter to the editor, at right), a properly timed set of lights is the best way to restore order.

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Opinion

Our View: GOP's dithering a boon for Obama

New England will once again be the focus of the Republican presidential sweepstakes tonight when the party announces the results of city and town caucuses in Maine. But they are unlikely to bring much clarity to a race in which Mitt Romney, despite a few key victories and a decided advantage in money and organization, has failed to close the deal with voters.

Feb 11, 2012 4:38 am
David M. Shribman: Eisenhower statue should reflect role he played in nation's history

In World War II he tamed America's allies and conquered its adversaries. As a conservative college president, he defended liberal professors caught in a virulent red scare. As NATO commander, he projected strength without projecting force. In the White House, he presided over the sort of peace and prosperity that today's presidential candidates can't plausibly promise.

Feb 11, 2012 4:37 am
Quips & Quotes

" Right now costs are not sustainable. I would feel like I was not doing my job if we did not pursue this. "
Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt defending his effort to get the city to adopt a state law giving him greater flexibility in negotiating health benefits with city unions

Feb 11, 2012 4:36 am
Our View: Mountains of mulch need close monitoring

On the one hand it's an encouraging sign of spring's approach when landscapers start stockpiling mulch to spread around homes and office buildings when the threat of snow has vanished. But such piles become problematic when they catch on fire as happened on Farm Avenue in Peabody Monday.

Feb 10, 2012 4:36 am
Our View: Arbitrator's ruling reflects giveaways of the past

Salem's Kim Driscoll is simply the latest municipal chief executive paying the price for labor giveaways of the past.
More than a third-century ago, someone at City Hall apparently thought it would be no big deal to provide retiring superior officers in the Police Department with a parting gift in the form of benefits they would have earned through the remainder of the fiscal year.

Updated Feb 10, 2012 1:39 pm
Nelson Benton: Health bill will take time Feb 10, 2012 4:34 am
Project for PEM: Restoration of the Grimshawe House Feb 10, 2012 4:33 am 1 Photo
Letter: Autistic son denied opportunity to skate Feb 10, 2012 4:32 am
Letter: Philharmonic one of Salem's gem Feb 10, 2012 4:31 am
Letter: Taxes on top of taxes Feb 10, 2012 4:30 am
Our View: Flashing light sends mixed message Feb 9, 2012 4:36 am
Our View: Health reform vote a key test for Peabody council Feb 9, 2012 4:35 am
Analysis: Mitt still struggling Feb 9, 2012 4:34 am
Letter: Hiring of regional 911 director doesn't smell right Feb 9, 2012 4:33 am
Letter: Bloomberg for president? Feb 9, 2012 4:32 am
Letter: Report shows nothing to fear from wind turbine Feb 9, 2012 4:31 am
Letter: STOCK Act could create more problems than it solves Feb 9, 2012 4:30 am
Our View: New police HQ should be top Beverly priority Feb 8, 2012 4:46 am
Our View: Requests for road restrictions deserve careful scrutiny Feb 8, 2012 4:45 am
My View: Unified community college system could help close 'skills gap' Feb 8, 2012 4:44 am
Barbara Anderson: Speedy Registry visit leaves less time for reading, more for thinking Feb 8, 2012 4:43 am 1 Photo
Letter: Public streets are for the public's use Feb 8, 2012 4:42 am
Letter: Public transportation vital to Boston-area communities Feb 8, 2012 4:41 am
Letter: Obama-Clinton ticket no solution to nation's problems Feb 8, 2012 4:40 am
Letter: Friends of Peabody COA seeks new members Feb 8, 2012 4:39 am
Letter: Blames Brady for Pats' loss Feb 8, 2012 4:38 am
Running club provides lots of benefits to members and community Feb 8, 2012 4:37 am
Letter: Lapse of judgment can occur at any age Feb 8, 2012 4:36 am
Letter: Late physician was dear family friend Feb 8, 2012 4:35 am
Our View: Regional projects still must prove themselves Feb 7, 2012 4:34 am

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