The Forest Avenue Speedway Situation

 

Dear Editor,

 

Thank you Leslie Lynch for your recent letter to The Rye Record, “Forest Avenue, a Tragedy Waiting to Happen”. As a Forest Avenue resident for over 15 years, I unfortunately couldn’t agree more with the concerns expressed.

Forest Avenue is a narrow residential street without shoulders or sidewalks along most of its length, and poorly lit in darkness. The street accommodates a growing flow of local traffic, and it at times becomes almost a speedway to Playland, Rye Town Park, and the beaches. While its posted speed limit is an appropriate 30 mph, my longtime observation suggests that the speed limit is seldom if ever monitored or enforced, making it a low-risk proposition to ignore, notwithstanding the pedestrian flow also trying to negotiate this narrow thoroughfare. I am aware of City Council discussions and debate regarding how the Forest Avenue situation might be improved and made safer, but this has resulted in no tangible progress.  

 

Motorists, please be cognizant of the posted speed limit, before a tragedy of the kind Leslie Lynch and we all fear might occur on Forest Avenue. And for those unable to resist the need for speed, here’s a novel idea: some stringent and visible enforcement?

 

Sincerely,

 

Andrew Brooks    

 

 

Sand and Shotguns

 

Dear Editor,

 

Playland Park has been a Rye landmark since it opened its doors in 1928. I often enjoy bringing my family there to see free concerts, ride on the Dragon Coaster, or walk on the boardwalk. Even after the park closes for its long winter rest, I find myself going there to walk and enjoy the seaside. That is until recently.

On January 8, I gathered up my 4-year old daughter and the pooch to go searching for shells at the beach at the far end. I noticed a police car in the parking lot above the beach and some people gathered around. When I got closer, I realized that people were looking in horror out into the Sound. That’s when I saw it. A hunting boat was anchored not more than 250 feet from shore. Scattered around the boat were duck decoys, and above the boat was a camouflaged canopy to conceal the hunters.

 

How is this possible? This is a public beach with children walking along its shore. How could this be safe? How is this allowed right next to a bird sanctuary? Is there no place sacred anymore? I take my daughter to walk along the beach and now have to worry about bullets flying overhead! When I spoke to the woman on the beach who called the police, she said she was told that this is legal.

 

Shame on the Town of Rye for allowing this in our own backyards!
 
Sincerely,

 

Cheri Howes

Stop the Escalating Expenditures

 

Dear Editor,

 

It is a shame that you printed the bureaucrats’ negative comments about the rejection of the school bond proposal on the front page and Ted Dunn’s response inside and out of view. Ted is a hero, not a “black hat”, for opposing the proposal. If its purposes are so critical, some less important items should be cut to pay for them. The endless escalation of public expenditures must stop. There is no better place to start than here at home.
 
Respectfully,
 
John A Friede