TAHLEQUAH —
Problems with people parking on sidewalks are not new to Tahlequah. Several years ago, a handful of local officials and dignitaries found themselves in an unwelcome spotlight when they repeatedly blocked sidewalk pedestrians with their vehicles, most of which were of the large, luxury-edition variety.
Sometimes, driveways aren’t long enough or wide enough to accommodate a family’s vehicles. And not everyone can afford a remodeling project to increase slab sizes – or even if they can afford it, they may have no space to relinquish for it. Nevertheless, parking on a sidewalk that runs past your house in a school zone can have especially serious consequences.
Recently, we received complaints from parents who live close enough to the Cherokee Elementary campus that their kids are able to walk to school. It reminded us of a similar situation several years ago involving what was then Central Elementary, and is now Central Academy, the alternative school.
In the current situation, as in the previous one, area residents are parking vehicles over the sidewalks in a school zone. This effectively blocks the young students in their treks to and from campus, forcing them to walk around the vehicles and out into the street. This creates a hazardous situation that could ultimately end in disaster.
One mother told us her 8-year-old child had almost been struck twice by vehicles on Goingsnake, and once by a vehicle backing out of a driveway. She also reported the worst offenders were what she believed to be “college fraternity boys,” who routinely have six vehicles in front of their group home – possibly just the residents, but they could be entertaining overnight guests as well. Another mother said her son, instead of walking into the street, had opted one day to traverse in front of the vehicle blocking the sidewalk. His attempt at safe passage bought him a tongue-lashing from a man who lived in the home, and who didn’t appreciate a 9-year-old trespassing on his property.
Blocking a sidewalk constitutes a violation of city ordinance. And during research for a story about this issue, Staff Writer Josh Newton learned that when violators are cited, the fine is only $5. This specific amount isn’t a part of any ordinance city officials could find, but apparently is a sort of assumed levy that’s been handed down for years – though not very often.
It’s likely that many people who block sidewalks do so for expediency’s sake, and simply have not thought about the danger to children who must walk behind their vehicles. But it’s important that they cease this practice, especially if they live close to an elementary school. They could park next to the curb on the street, where not prohibited, or even in their own yards. But they need to leave the sidewalks clear for the kids.
Mahaney says if someone calls in a report of an illegally parked vehicle, his officers will try to get the driver to move it, and lack of cooperation can result in a fine, as can repeat offenses. But since $5 is little more than an annoying swat on the wrist, a more punitive figure might help solve the problem.
The Tahlequah City Council should seriously consider increasing the general parking fines to at least the same level as used for handicapped-slot infractions, which is $50. That might encourage some careless drivers to think twice before blocking a sidewalk.
It might sound a little steep, especially to those with space problems. But isn’t the well-being of our little ones worth the price?
Editorials
Don’t park on the sidewalks
- Editorials
-
-
Welcoming our visitors to town
In just a few days, visitors will be pouring into Cherokee County, as the Memorial Day weekend officially ushers in the local tourist season. For some of us, that means it’s time to batten down the hatches; for others, it’s time for the cash registers to start ringing.
-
Phone record debacle an insult to press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
-
Punishing the animal dumpers
Animal dumping is not a problem unique to Cherokee County, but anyone who’s been keeping up with current events for the past decade or so will acknowledge it’s especially prevalent here.
-
Openness on AG the right course
It takes courage to admit to a serious mistake or a personal lapse, especially when the nature of the situation may call for a public mea culpa.
-
Legislative action not encouraging
It’s outrageous to advance the argument that it’s “fair” for Chesapeake Oil to wind up with a negative tax bill – lower than the average Oklahoman paid last year. Yet that’s precisely the message some of that company’s protectors in the state Legislature are trying to convey.
-
Cast your ballot for ‘At Its Best’
May has arrived, and that means folks will be relishing their upcoming trips over the Memorial Day weekend to Lake Tenkiller and the Illinois River. Before that, families with 12th-graders in their households will be making plans to watch their children make the monumental transition that graduation brings.
-
Corporations shouldn’t have ‘people’ status
Since the Supreme Court made its fateful 2010 decision in the Citizens United case, most Americans have come to agree with the cynical statement that “corporations aren’t people.” And most Americans – except that tiny fraction who wield all the power – would approve of a constitutional amendment to make it tougher to buy a congressman.
-
Anti-texting bill still needs look
A bill that would have banned texting while driving was shot down for the third and presumably final time this legislative session, and we can’t say we’re surprised.
-
Red Fern a great family fun event
By the time many of you read this, you’ll already be just hours away from milling around, or kicking back in your lawn chairs, at Norris Park. Some of you might already be downtown before your paper arrives.
-
Progress set to print Sunday
Sporadic readers will want to pick up a copy of the Sunday, April 21 Daily Press. It will contain the first “wave” of our annual Progress edition.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Welcoming our visitors to town
Raw: Aerials Show Path of Oklahoma Destruction
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
