Dear editor:

As a longtime resident of Niagara Blvd., it was very disappointing to see town council once again delay listening to the concerns of the residents of the Chautauqua area in regards to vehicles speeding along Shakespeare Avenue and Niagara Blvd., (“Community group demands action on excessive speeding,” The Lake Report, Dec. 14).

This has been an ongoing issue for a number of years now, through two different councils and it seems likely that no action will be taken to mitigate the problem before the 2024 tourist season.

I am sure council has a full agenda. But I would also like to think that councillors can make time for residents’ concerns about public safety in regard to speeding issues in every area of town.

Operations director Rome D’Angelo’s comment about doing a study and delivering it in a “timely fashion” was patronizing, considering that the mayor asked the town staff to come up with some numbers back in April of 2023.

While other municipalities deal with similar issues, seemingly with ease and in a “timely fashion,” in reality this Niagara-on-the-Lake council cannot even put it on the agenda.

The work of Friends of Ryerson Park in studying solutions from other municipalities is very well done, detailed and extensive, and I cannot see how another study would be practical.

When I drive through Niagara Falls, St. Catharines or Welland, and I see lower speed limits and other traffic calming methods in their residential areas, I do wonder why NOTL council procrastinates on this issue.

Perhaps councillors don’t drive in the neighbouring communities at all?

With that said, I have faith that NOTL council will ultimately make the right decision and take action on these concerns in the interest of public safety for my neighbourhood.

Mike Grecco
NOTL