By DAVID WILLIAMS
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
The start of a high-intensity activated crosswalk system at 161st Street and the Monon Trail in Westfield was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but was delayed due to rain.
The delay came as more people learned of controversial remarks from one Westfield City Council member about pedestrians and bike riders who have been hit by vehicles.
Troy Patton, a Westfield city councilor, said during this week’s finance committee meeting, “I like the trails. I think they’re nice,” but added it’s too expensive to build an underground pedestrian and bicyclist tunnel at 161st Street. Patton’s comments were directed towards Westfield’s initial plan to build a tunnel under 161st Street for the Monon Trail.
Photo provided by WISH-TV
Signs for motorists at the trail crossing say “cross traffic” on 161st Street does not stop, and Patton said bicyclists ignore the stop sign at the trail. He also called on police to man the trail and to write tickets to walkers, runners and bicyclists who don’t obey the law.
Patton, a Republican, said, “For God’s sakes, get somebody out there and start stopping people and make them stop … I can’t help stupid. If you’re going to run out in front of a car, natural selection says that maybe you ought to be done.”
Westfield resident Matt Deck told WISH-TV News 8, “Both myself and a majority of our neighbors feel that long-term the tunnel is the best solution. But if this HAWK system can increase the safety of our residents and visitors to the city in the meantime, then we’re all for it.”
Deck said about Patton’s remarks, “I just don’t feel these are comments that should be made by a public official in a public setting.” “I don’t feel that he was serious with that remark. But, I would like him to apologize to the community again for even asserting such a tragic event as he did. I believe that counselor wants the best for the citizens of Westfield.”
Another Westfield resident, Jason Leighty, watched video of the finance committee meeting. He said, “There’s a lot of factors at play here. So, I don’t take his words at face value. It just sounds frustrating to me. It’s a frustration that is being expressed. It’s a systematic problem.”
Westfield city administrators say the safest choice would be to completely separate street and trail traffic by putting the trail under the road. Plans call for a grade separation at the crossing, but the timetable for that is unclear.
Leighty said, “Really, the true solution that everyone can agree to is to separate. One path goes over; one path goes under.”
Another example of poor journalism. Their second paragraph is blatantly false me and this was initiated by another individual who works for the Cook family.
I said the words. I said them because I am frustrated that something so simple can not be handled. Everything from pedestrians to autos. If 100 people decide they are just not going to stop as I have read some say on other pages there is nothing we can do. Why would we want to build a tunnel (and no it is not there already) for over $6 million just for the people who refuse to stop. We had repeatedly asked the administration to take steps to make it safer for everyone and they will not do it like put up barriers. I can not help those who don’t want to help themselves and I don’t think others should pay for those people who don’t want to help themselves. If you want a politician there are those who will agree and nod with everything you say because they want your vote. I say what I think and think what I say. Some may call it genuine whether you agree or disagree that is up to you.
Right on, Troy!
Troy Patton is pandering to the lazy and slothful who have never even used the Monon. He can’t see the big picture. The trail system saves millions in health care costs alone by its very existence. That one bad intersection destroys the continuity and safety of the entire Monon corridor. He may relish the idea of traffic fatalities now but I assume he’s not going to want to have his picture posted with the casualties going forward as this half hearted solution makes the northern portions of the trail unavailable to consumers and tourists from 161st street all the way to downtown Indianapolis. Look at the history of what’s been completed so far. There have been trouble spots along the way. All have been remedied by the responsible cities the trail passes through with the exception of the 86th street crossing and this nightmare death trap at 161st Street. Both need to be fixed. Fixing 161st is a logistical cakewalk compared to 86th Street. Indianapolis even fixed the 38th street crossing. Westfield needs to take responsibility for their portion of the trail. If they can’t do this, they should have let it end at 146th street.
Ridiculous. No one is relishing in any unforeseen tragedy. You just let the media spin circle you until you are dizzy. I actually use the trail on foot and bike. The article is taking what was said out of context. It was promulgated by a friend of the Mayor.
What ever happened to predestinations have the right of way? How confusing for drivers and pedestrians. I am a biker, it is quite annoying to have to stop get of your bike, get on your bike, off your bike, on your bike off your bike…
If yellow flashing light is on, cars should have to slow down, and stop if there are pedestrians.
” If you want a politician there are those who will agree and nod with everything you say because they want your vote. I say what I think and think what I say. Some may call it genuine whether you agree or disagree that is up to you. ” – Troy Patton.
Some would also call it shortsidness, Mr Patton. It’s obviously a concern for your constituents, so it should be a concern of yours as well. Labeling some as ‘stupid’ doesn’t seem very productive, although it does bring YOU lots of attention.
We’ll settle for a politician who solves problems rather than creating them.
Agree or disagree ; that’s up to you.
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I listened to the entire meeting and clearly understood Mr. Patton thinks anyone who is for a tunnel is essentially lacking in basic intelligence and he simply cannot be bothered to waste his precious time with idiots (constituents) like us. What he seems to not grasp is that in general the people who believe a tunnel makse sense aren’t the “idiots” who are incapbable of following traffic laws and thus destined to fall prey to natural selection. Westfield seems like a pretty educated place and we are all as frustrated about the situation as he is. The article neglected to include the part of the meeting where Mr. Patton bizzarely whines about being pulled over for a traffic infraction. How are his driving habits in any way under the purview of the finance committee? He seems unwilling to consider the opinion of anyone who doesn’t 100% agree with his positions and is quick to insult anyone who dares to disagree. His tactic is to attack dissenters and accuse them of being under the influence of media spin (you know from the left-leaning Hamilton County Reporter, which is probably in the pocket of George Soros), or accuse them of being a Cook puppet, or simply determine they are not intellegient enough to hold a rational discussion with somone as intellectually gifted as he is. Self-assurance is an important competency for any leader to possess. Too much self-assurance is a liability, especially for an elected official. Mr. Patton was duly elected to the office so it’s his right to dispatch his duties as he sees fit, he is free to ply his tea party dogma all he likes, but that doesn’t make it the right thing to do for our community. On the subject of telling it like it is, I often wonder who’s ego is bigger, Mr. Patton, Mr. Cook, Mr. Burtron, or Mr. Herceg. At this moment, I feel Mr. Patton and Mr. Herceg are in a virtual tie for the title but it’s a close contest. As a resident, I find all of them to be operating below the level of maturity required for serious public service. The good news is they all capable of doing better, if they choose to put their personal animous aside, we could get something done beyond the tiresome insults, character assasination, investigations, and lawsuits.