8/13/1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Scurlock remarked that the statistics did not detail whether these figures are associated with all crossings or with crossings that actually had guard gates. Commissioner Bowman felt there were important details missing. For one thing they don't say how much heavier the traffic has become during the night hours. They don't take that into consideration at all. Another point is the increase in population. Commissioner Eggert and Commissioner Scurlock agreed there are several., components which were not taken into consideration in arriving'at these statistics, such as, while there may be a one percent increase in deaths, there may be a ten percent increase in traffic, or the accidents may have occurred at crossings that do not have a guard gate. Vice Chairman Wheeler stated we have gates at every crossing with flashing lights and bells clanging, and between ten at night and six in the morning, if you do not see the lights, you are asleep at the wheel. He felt our ordinance to ban the train horns from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. is reasonable. Commissioner Bowman remarked that, although she thought the figures are wrong, she voted against stopping whistle blowing and would do the same thing today. She was not convinced that we do not need that extra precaution. As far as the noise, she is not bothered by the trains, and felt people who live near the tracks have no trouble getting accustomed to it. Vice Chairman Wheeler recounted his experience of living in a house near the tracks. He felt, with the new technology of automatic gates and flashing lights and bells clanging, plus the headlight of the train moving up and down and from side to side, there is no need for trains to blow a whistle or horn. Commissioner Scurlock emphasized the Board's responsibility is to our constituency. He personally is not bothered by trains but realized some people are bothered significantly by the train horn. Vice Chairman Wheeler recognized those who wished to be heard in this matter. Dr. Juanita Bailey, 555 4th Street, Lot 16, Woodlawn Manor spoke on behalf of signers of petitions to stop the train whistles. She did not believe the Board would make decisions on a personal basis or what affected them directly because they were elected to represent the people. Dr. Bailey said that when this issue came ups she went around with petitions and brought in 43 signatures and then 28 signatures. She spoke of living in Chicago near a turn of the elevated tracks and hearing the; trains screech as they came around the turn, and somehow lived with that noise. When she returned to Vero Beach and was working in her office till 12:30 21 AUG 13 1W BOOK F,1"c 4