ARMSTRONG ABUZZ | IPE and Stampede gets underway Wednesday through Sunday [A6]
Morning gStar
The
Sunday, August 26, 2012
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w w w. v e r n o n m o r n i n g s t a r. c o m
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JUST 2013
ARRIVED!
Chevrolet SPARK
BANNISTER 4703 - 27th St. VERNON • 250-545-0606
GM
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POTENT PRODUCT JOSÉ LAROCHELLE/ MORNING STAR
Tristan Norman comes close to a breaking point during the garlic eating contest at the Grindrod Garlic Festival. See page B13 for more photos from the event in Grindrod Park.
Accident waiting to happen, again RICHARD ROLKE
of Vernon. “We tried to get the message across two years ago but Dana Albrecht can’t fight the flashbacks every time a there’s been nothing really done,” said McDougall. motorist zooms past her. “There’s been no traffic calming and we need some“I just cringe,” says the 17-year-old who was struck thing done.” by a vehicle while she was walking her bicycle across Residents — although no one will reveal who — have Okanagan Landing Road in February 2010. taken measures into their own hands and sprayed It’s an incident that changed her life safety markings on the road and installed homeforever. made signs urging motorists to slow down. “I have a brain injury and cognitive “It’s very frustrating,” said McDougall of the problems,” she said. city’s response. “All we want is some attention.” Albrecht and other residents of As well as improved signage, the residents Okanagan Landing Road are increasingly are calling for speed bumps or rumble strips to concerned about safety on the narrow, — McDougall modify driving habits. But Albrecht hopes they windy stretch between Harbour Heights just slow down. and Smith roads. “Saving some extra time isn’t worth possibly “A telephone pole has been knocked hitting someone,” she said. out twice and there have been cars in yards,” said Barry City of Vernon officials insist they are aware of the McDougall. “This road is so scary.” neighbourhood’s concerns. Vehicles, residents say, regularly exceed the speed “We are assessing the speed and the volume of traflimit and there is no shoulder for pedestrians. fic on the road. We are investigating the concerns,” said I don’t walk on the road anymore because it’s not Amanda Watson, transportation technician. safe,” said Shirley Ogasawara. “We have also put up additional signage to indicate “The kids can’t ride their bikes around here,” added the nature of the road (curves).” Dustin Cameron. Watson says one of the challenges in proceeding with Vehicles backing out of yards have poor visibility upgrades is the narrowness of the area but some land has because of blind corners and there are no barricades to been purchased to assist with conditions. keep vehicles from plowing into yards. “The long-term plan is to widen pedestrian facilities “We never see any enforcement for speeding,” said but we can’t do that until we expand the right-of-way,” resident Bonnie Johnson. she said, adding that speed bumps and rumble strips are Much of the frustration is directed towards the City being considered as part of policies. Morning Star Staff
“This road is so scary.”
LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR
Carolyn Anele Dickson pushes her son Charlie, three, along a treacherous part of Okanagan Landing Road with other concerned residents Wednesday.
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