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Choose Your Poison: Frustration at Home or on the Road

Following Hurricane Sandy, many residents are venturing out of their darkened homes, but traffic on the roads are no picnic either.

Despite public officials advising townspeople to stay off the roads due to some closings, the danger of hung up branches and trees that could come down, and tree and wire crews trying to work without interruption — many are either going out for their jobs, for emergencies or because sitting home without power is driving them crazy.

After going to Edith Wheeler Memorial Library today, instead of going home via Route 110, I decided to stop for lunch at Bill's Drive-In before turning right on 111 — a left looked impossible — and riding it to the 25 Connector.

I soon found that driving on Monroe Turnpike could be just as aggravating as waiting for the power to be restored. Traffic lights with no lights and temporary stop signs at intersections with way too many lanes for stop signs has slowed traffic to glacial speeds.

Along the way I noticed long lines at gas stations, with the one just over the Trumbull line coned off — I forget the name right now.

I wondered how the major intersection of routes 111 and 25 Connector would look ... but never got there.

Cars and trucks were so backed up with no movement at all. Some drivers in front of me grew impatient and decided to turn around and head back the other way. It didn't take me long to decide to join them.

Those who already drove down that way know what I'm talking about and for anyone who hadn't, it's just something to think about.

Stay safe.

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Brooke Burling May 24, 2013 at 08:33 am
Only one week to go until auditions (Friday, May 31), so interested actors sign up now!
Laura Tulley May 23, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Thank you everyone for your comments. Carl - will try not to be offended by your "anyone withRead More half a brain" comment. I am dismayed to hear Dawn that you have made this effort and been turned down by the town and police department (it's not uncommon for me to see the police speeding up and down Moose Hill Road too!) Glad to hear, though, that I am not alone in seeing a need for people to get a grip on the road. Slow down. Hang up. Comply with stop signs and stop lights. Be courteous.
Laura May 23, 2013 at 11:17 am
I have been tail-gated so many times - everywhere in Monroe - I drive a little over the posted speedRead More limit BUT I respect the people walking (most of the time in the wrong direction) and bike riders (they too ride in the wrong direction. HANG UP THE PHONE - DON'T PIGGY BACK thru a stop sign, and learn the right of way rule. AND STOP SIGNS mean S T O P!!! Robin lane people are good for running stop signs. And Pepper Street is 25 mph - NOT 45 or 50!!! Walkers & runners FACE TRAFFIC - Bike riders RIDE WITH TRAFFIC. AND one more thing - don't block the drive ways if there is a stop light - and someone coming in or out - let them and move on. THANKS for letting me get this off my chest!!!!!
Dawn May 22, 2013 at 10:28 am
Good luck Laura, My husband and I tried to get some on Purdy Hill Road from Rt.111 to Rt.25. theyRead More said they can't do it. I have asked numerous times to have a police officer sit in Farmview or use our driveway, said it's too dangerous, go figure. Tired of drivers around town having no respect for other drivers and people walking on side of road. It gets to the point that I don't even want to leave my house. Get a clue people slow down, stay off phones, it's not hard.
Pictured from left: Rev. John Hanwell, S.J., President; Dr. Robert Perrotta, Principal, Mark Giannini; John Hanrahan, Dean of Guidance & College Advising; and Jon DeRosa, Director of Student Activities & Christian Service.
Nancy B. May 22, 2013 at 03:08 pm
Congratualtions to Mark and his family!!!!! Well done Mark.....your future is bright!