A light there isn't dependent upon building the shopping center, but the rerouting of Rockaway Road itself.

As with getting a light at the sports complex it is under GDOT control. PTC cannot just put a light in on its own. But GDOT has coupled any light approvals to completing 74.

Don Haddix
Candidate for Mayor
DonHaddix.com

I see that you are running for Mayor. You will see that a light is needed and it seems that you have passed the buck to GDOT. If you continue to read we do have serveral police officers that could assist on a daily bases on this dangerous intersection. You must never use this way. The PTC police would have to be there from 7:00 AM until 8:15 AM and 4:30 PM until 6:00 PM. This would be needed M-F and on Saturdays when the games are there. PTC has great Auxilary Police officers that could assist with this for FREE! Lets get smart before someone is killed!!!! I would hate for it to be a car full of children coming home from a game on Saturday or after practice. I think we both have something in common. Want to keep it safe, but it takes action and we just need this to happen. Enough is Enough! PTC Police and PTC Fire and Rescue have responded to multiple car accidents here. This alone would save a life and reduce tax payers money. PTC likes to put a show on when the Air Show is in town or a tournament. We make sure that the visitors are safe, however the tax payers do not matter. Every Sunday the Police sit outside Holy Trinity, Methodist Church on Hwy 54, and on Hwy 74 two police officers. We don't need to only protect the ones going to church but all of us on a weekly bases.

Less Radar on 74 and protect and direct!

Please help!

This problem could be helped if people were smart about the stop sign at this intersection. Yes, you might have to stop and wait (Heaven forbid!) but people ignoring the stop sign to let other people out and in and every other direction doesn't help.

If your turning on to Rockaway, turn. Dont waive 12 cars through the intersection. Its dangerous and causes accidents. If your turning onto 74 wait until you can turn, or turn right.

The police dont have the time or man power to direct traffic at this intersection, or the west end of 54 for that matter, just because you don't have the time to wait.

I have time to wait but you just said it. People are not following the proper road methods hear and letting several cars out etc. That is what is leading to the accidents. Trust me I know about accidents. I had one in February and I was the innocent victim, and was out of work until June 1. The Police need to do something about this area. It is horrible and somebody will die due to not having a light.

at stop signs. I'm totally shocked!!!! I thought only those pesky cyclists were guilty of that.

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Darn riders, always hoggin'... up.. the... nevermind. Ive got a feeling that this will be a moot point when they widen 74 anyway.

If GDOT is smart,not that they are or anything, they'll kill two birds with one stone, put up a light and move Rockaway during the process. People will just have to be PATIENT until then.

All it will take is for one person to die and then a light will go up. The PTC Police need to direct during the busy times.

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police working a second job. They are not paid by the city but by the churches. If I am wrong about this I am sure there are those who will correct me.

There are a number of times and places people assume police are on duty when they are not. They are not paid by the City at those times.

Don Haddix
Candidate for Mayor
DonHaddix.com

We need help on the South Side down here! Get us a light or someone directing traffic! We have already had several multiple car accidents. If you asked a PTC police officer, PTC Firefighter, or PTC Paramedic they would agree that a light needs to happen. You must live on the North Side where you have the lights and just got the new one.

Well, not exactly!
They still are covered as if working.

They still may make arrests.

Isn't the money turned into the city , deductions made and then given to officer?

Not sure how it is determined who will get the job----maybe supervisors keep up with it?

These things are not necessarily negative but need to be out clearly.

There are several places lights are needed, including the BSC. There are intersections with more accidents than this one, some with lights. To put officers there would require removing them from elsewhere, so I do not know where the available officers you are speaking of are coming from, since Chief Clark is already utilizing the Auxiliary.

Evaluating the needs is a police, not a Council function. Please get a meeting with the Police Department and discuss it with them. Maybe you can persuade them to your view.

AS well maybe you are not aware but the Police Department is understaffed. But it requires money to increase their numbers.

They are actively promoting and trying to expand the Auxiliary and CERTS. But remember, those in Auxiliary often have jobs, so they are not available during the working day.

So I recognize the need but there has to be resources available on priority basis. We don't have the resources to meet all the needs at this time.

I am not dodging the issue, just trying to explain the reality.

Don Haddix
Candidate for Mayor
DonHaddix.com

The PTC Police do a very good job and this is nothing against them. I am wanting them to protect the Citizens and Taxpayers that are turning there everyday risking their lives due to not having common sense. I invite you and the Chief down to the Softball fields to just observe this terrible and dangerous situation during the busy times in the AM and PM. It might be a great place for you to Campaign for Mayor. I would advise to stand over by the Fayette County Animal Shelter as that is where they drag all of the cars from the multiple car accidents. Just ask one of your PTC Police, Firefighters, or Paramedics!

Is our PD paying the auxiliary or are they volunteers? Can someone answer this?

At Shakerag Sunday, there was one auxiliary officer in the main pkg. lot chatting with a patron. There were 2 more on the other side of the fair together going booth to booth chatting with the vendors. I don't know how many more were there. The back entrance to the complex (used as an exit, normally) had cars and carts parked on both sides of the road. The signs are there up and down east side of the road that there is no parking on that side of the road. I asked the 2 auxiliaries why they were allowed to park there, it was a hazard for any emergency vehicles, and you could not get 2 vehicles thru there side by side (thru traffic going in opposite directions). They were both standing right at the entrance to the cart path off that road that goes up into Shakerag and were in full view of what I was talking about. One of them said they would go check with the officer in charge and walked away.

Then, on my way out, Chief Clark was on his way in and I asked him about it and he said he would talk with the officers there.

About an hour later, I went by again, and all the cars and carts were still there, no p.d. anywhere in sight.

Sure would like to know why the signage is there and the p.d. was there and no one was enforcing it.

They are not paid and use cars that have been taken out of regular service due to being over maximum allowed millage.

While I cannot give a full explanation on the parking I know policy and ordinance allows parking for special events that would normally not be allowed. What all was involved here I do not know, but I do know if Chief Clark said he would look into it he did.

Don Haddix
Candidate for Mayor
DonHaddix.com

I hear all of the time from Police and Fire that they can't use auxiliary or volunteers to keep down the head count of paid employees.

One main reason is that everyone works day shift.

That is not true---even pilots only work, what is it 25 hours a month-and would make excellent volunteers! I have known many people who also will volunteer 1-2 nights a week for four hours or more.

It IS HARD to train and manage volunteers, but we have enough Colonels, majors, Captains. Lts, corporals, to handle it.
And yes they do turn-over somewhat but more are available if wanted.

Give some people a uniform or a gun and they will attack walls! Free!
Call them Brevet Colonels. I jest, but you get the idea--they have to be wanted.

Go to the Candidate's Forum on October 6 and ask the question. It will give you a little insight to the capabilities of the candidates - and even how complicated they can make a simple request.

There was yet another crash this morning at 74 and Rockaway. Another person hauled off in an ambulance. I hope they recover soon.

I am sorry to here that someone was in an accident again today at this intersection. One day the will get Common Sense and do what is right.