The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to [email protected].

Question:

Hi Mr. Mayor,

In the beginning of the year as everyone knows the school buses can be delayed as the drivers are learning the routes. Today, I was waiting for my children’s bus on Route 88. The bus stopped and I waited to greet my children coming off the bus. To my horror, a car went around the bus on the right side-driving on the shoulder where my children were about to get off. Had I not been there to hold out my hands to my children to wait I don’t even want to think what could have happened. And that driver who went around on the shoulder, I don’t know what she was thinking! How can we stop this? I know there were cameras installed on the buses to capture license plates but that doesn’t seem to be enough. I am wondering if also the drivers can have training on how to stop in the safest way possible also.

Hoping for a safe year. Thank you.

Response from Mayor Coles:

I’m sorry you had to witness that. I’ve spoken to the chief and I know he and the officers will have no tolerance for someone who does this

Do you know the bus number or route, day, time and intersection this occurred at? We may be able to track the footage and send the driver a ticket after the fact.

I will also talk to the LSTA and ask them to work with all the bus companies and reinforce proper stopping and discharge procedure.

I will also ask them to make sure the drivers to treat incidents like this seriously and turn over all video and ask the company to follow up with the department.

Thanks

Ray

Question:

Hi Mr. Mayor,

The last few times that bulk trash pickup came to my neighborhood was in the middle of the night. It came at 1:30 am, 3:30 am etc. It makes a lot of noise as it is trashing large items in the truck and wakes us up. Is there anything to do about this?

Thank you.

Response from Mayor Coles:

I will ask Public Works to minimize late night pick-ups.

Thanks

Ray

Question:

Hi Mayor,

Please do something about Spruce and Pine Streets in the morning. The horrific traffic will worsen as more office buildings are built and rented out in the Boulevard of Americas area.

The answer can’t be “I will I’ll check and get back to you.” It needs to come with a response, and please speak to some people beforehand.

I don’t have an answer and neither do others I speak to but are jobs aren’t to find the answers to these problems. Our elected officials who take salaries are responsible to help find the answers to these problems.

Thank you

A frustrated “south of the lake” resident

Response from Mayor Coles:

Thanks for writing

I believe I have said recently on this forum, that we are planning on widening Pine Street, hopefully next year.

The intersection of Spruce & 9 is slated for major improvements as part of the current Rt 9 project, which will hopefully be complete sometime in 2025.

Ray

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Have a question for the Mayor? Send it to [email protected]

Have a question for the Chief? Send it to [email protected]