Most Dangerous Sidewalk in Mineral Point

Dear Editor,

Having spent this spring trying to get the attention of the street and ordinance committees after a two year process beginning in 2023 to provide a safer section on Shake Rag street between the intersection of William street to Antoine street, plus gain more attention to what is the lack of adequate safe conditions on all of Shake Rag street, I have only experienced roadblocks.

I have followed a process throughout to keep the Mineral Point council and Administrator up to date on the unquestionable reasons to address the safety conditions that are lacking. 

The situation is that the neighborhood referred to Piety Ridge has grown to a development of over 55 residences with more than 60 plus children who utilize Soldiers Memorial Park, plus many adults too. In order to get to the park there is only one exit out of the neighborhood which is William Street.

The tremendous change that has been requested is to have a stop sign placed at the intersection on the north side of Shake Rag street where it meets William street. My observation in the meetings have left me questioning what is the driving force behind this resistance.

I have watched at both of the meetings I attended a lack of support to make an effort to address this by some members of both committees, with no support by law enforcement to have any concern. This concern or lack of it has been shared by many former and current city employees which includes council members and workers, who observe that something is obviously needed.

The two things that I did first at the request of the Administrator, was to have residents send letters to him based on their concerns. Following a result of no action at the street committee meeting I proceeded to provide a referendum with 47 signatures of residents concerned about this unsafe situation.

The ordinance meeting was disappointing with a lack of undocumented information supplied. From my observation over the time I've spent on Shake Rag street, there was a considerable difference as to the amount of traffic stated.

I followed up by sitting in my vehicle on Shake Rag street north of the William street intersection between 3:30-4:30 pm on Tuesday June 10th. During that time I experienced 69 cars/suv's, 29 trucks/vans, 4 four  wheeler's, 5 bikers, and 4 pedestrians.

This was shared with the council that evening and will be why this issue still needs to be addressed. 

If it's important enough it needs to become reality. Common sense should be the driving force.

Tom McGuire, Mineral Point, WI