The following are questions from Clintonville residents and answers from Clintonville Mayor Judith I. Magee.
Q: Why were the state law – pedestrian signs taken down on main street?
A: They were taken down for the firemen’s parade. They were returned on Sept. 7 in a slightly different location. The location change was made to allow vehicles more room when turning onto Main Street.
Q: What is the law in regard to pedestrians and the crosswalks and are there any penalties if vehicles do not stop for pedestrians?
A: Wisconsin Statutes 346.25-346.30 cover Pedestrian Laws. 346.25 – Pedestrian crossing at an uncontrolled intersection or crosswalk. 1. At an intersection or crosswalk where traffic is not controlled by traffic control signals or by a traffic officer, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian, or to a person riding a bicycle in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians, who is crossing the highway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk. 2. No pedestrian or bicyclist shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk, run or ride into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is difficult for the operator of the vehicle to yield.3. Whenever any vehicle is stopped at an intersection or crosswalk to permit a pedestrian or bicyclist to cross the roadway, the operator of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle. 346.26 – Blind Pedestrian on Highway – A vehicle operator shall stop no closer than 10 feet for a pedestrian who is carrying a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white trimmed with red, which is held in an extended position or who is using a dog guide and shall take precautions as may be necessary to avoid accident or injury to the pedestrian. The fact that the pedestrian may be violating any of the laws applicable to pedestrians does not relieve the operator of a vehicle from the duties imposed by this subsection. 346.30 – Penalty for violating sections 346.23 to 346.29. – The fine for not yielding to a pedestrian, etc. – 1st offense is $88.60, 2nd offense is $177.20, etc.
I have asked the police department to start issuing tickets for those failing to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Q: I thought the speed limit on all streets in Clintonville is 25 miles per hour. Why aren’t more violators being ticketed?
A: The Clintonville Police Department advises drivers to pay closer attention to their driving. The department has seen an increase in resident complaints of speeding violations. In addition, residents have complained about drivers rolling through stop signs.
In an effort to address resident concerns, the police department will be writing more tickets per my request. Writing tickets is one of the more unpleasant tasks of our police officers job, so please pay attention to your speed and avoid this circumstance. I would like Clintonville to have the same reputation that Rosendale has – “Don’t even think of speeding in our town unless you want to receive a ticket.”
Folks, please start obeying the Rules of the Road and the speed limits!
Q: Why were the utility bills so high this month?
A: First, there were 25 days between July 13 and Aug. 13 that were over 89 degrees. Air conditioning/fans running more during this time also make a big difference in electric consumption. Watering during this time also makes a big difference in water consumption. Filling a swimming pool adds to you water consumption. Toilets that are leaking also add up on your water bill.
Second, based on the reading dates most residents have 32-35 days on this cycle and last month was less than 30 days. The last and current read dates are on the bill.
I am asking a favor of all of the citizens of Clintonville. If you are upset over a bill, please do not take your anger out on the gals at City Hall who collect your money. Let’s discuss the issue rationally and try to figure out together what may be causing the large difference. Please give the gals a chance to pull up your account on the computer so that both of you can look at your previous bills and see if there is a major change in usage – maybe your meter needs to be changed, may you have faucets or toilets that are leaking. In next month’s utility bill, the Newsletter will explain how the rates are figured.
If you have a question you would like to have answered, feel free to email the mayor at [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also reach her by phone at 715-823-7600 or 715-823-4264 (voice mail).