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Street Safety A Top Issue

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By KENNETH KNIGHT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 17, 2008

TEMPLE CREST - In her first visit to a Temple Crest Civic Association meeting since being elected to Tampa City Council, Mary Mulhern knew she would be asked about the residents' campaign to get traffic-calming devices installed on neighborhood streets.

She quipped at the beginning of her presentation about asking civic association President Terry Neal not to bring up the issue.

He kept his word, but that didn't stop others in the crowd of some 20 residents petitioning for new traffic safety devices.
Street safety was among an array of issues the first-term councilwoman addressed during an hourlong question-and-answer session at the civic group's monthly meeting Sept. 8.

Temple Crest residents continued their campaign for new traffic safety devices on River Hills Drive and other streets throughout the neighborhood.

Shelly Clark, who lives on Regnas Avenue, wanted to know why traffic-calming devices such as speed humps had not been installed on her street, where Kimbell Elementary opened in August. She said traffic safety devices are needed to protect pedestrians, particularly small children who walk to and from school.

Mulhern said she knew of only a few streets near schools where traffic-calming devices have been installed.

"One thing I always hear is, 'Speed tables don't work,'" Mulhern said. "I don't know what the answer is. I'm not an engineer or speed traffic cop. If you make enough noise, maybe they will put them in."

Nathan "Danny" Johnson asked Mulhern whether she had any sway in getting the spot where parents pick up their children at Kimbell Elementary moved from 46th Street to Orange Place, a quieter residential street behind the school. He said a long car procession backs up traffic on 46th Street each afternoon.

Mulhern encouraged Johnson to take his concerns to the Hillsborough County School Board.

Fred and Missy Hoffman of Ednam Place wanted to know what could be done to force absentee landlords to comply with code enforcement.

The first-term councilwoman echoed the concerns of the residents, who also complained about speeders, rowdy neighbors and the allocation of public dollars.

"I have sympathy for neighborhood activists," Mulhern said. "It's hard even for us who work at the city to get things done."

Neal encouraged his neighbors to be more vigilant in speaking out to city officials at City Hall on issues important to the community, such as their campaign for traffic-calming devices.

"I need you to call, e-mail and fax," Neal said. "Call the mayor and the transportation department. It takes the squeaky wheel."

Mulhern urged the residents to continue speaking up for issues important to their neighborhood and pledged to champion their cause at city hall.

"I am trying to help you," Mulhern said. "I am trying to help a lot of neighborhoods."

The residents expressed praise for her efforts.

"I think Mary has shown such initiative on the city council," Neal said.

The next civic association meeting will be 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at the civic association building on Miller Avenue.

Reporter Kenneth Knight can be reached at (813) 865-4842 or kknight@tampatrib.com.

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