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Dear Editor:   With all that is going on in the world today, including a war in Iraq and possible terrorist attacks here in America , it is hard to believe that there are people in Killingworth making an issue of the newly painted yellow stripe on some of our roads, and want the centerlines removed. I would think that any reasonable resident driving on these roads will observe that the drivers of other vehicles, especially trucks, seem to be more cautious, making a greater effort to stay in their lanes and driving slower because of the centerline.

Fifteen years ago was the last time all of the roads in Killingworth were striped, including most of the subdivisions, which looking back was probably an ‘overkill'. Four years ago, my late father was forced off of Green Hill Road by an oncoming dump truck heading right at him down the center of the road. That same year my wife and infant grandson were forced off of the same road by an oncoming truck coming around a curve in the center of the road. Both right wheels and tires were destroyed, and all because of the lack of a yellow center line. Once again, a few years ago, my wife was forced off of Cow Hill Road by an oncoming, unyielding log truck driving down the center of the road. In each of these incidents the oncoming drivers kept driving and were never apprehended.

Two years ago, on Green Hill Road , our daughter in law's car was struck by an oncoming truck driving over a hump in the center of the road. True, the driver was under the influence, but our daughter in law was quick to observe as she chased the hit and run driver, because of the yellow centerline in Madison and Guilford , he stayed in his lane until apprehended by several State Police in Guilford .

Second Selectmen Charlie Morgan and Lou Annino should be congratulated for recognizing the problem, casting a yes vote, and repeatedly standing firm on this very important issue. They voted their conscience and acted in the best interest of Killingworth against undue pressure from a few. My family and I are deeply saddened by Charlie's recent resignation because of this public safety matter. Charlie, as well as Lou, displayed a great deal of courage by not changing his vote and I would serve next to him anytime, any place. Our town is indebted to him for his outstanding service.

After the recent Selectmen's meeting at which two female residents stated their opposition to the stripe, these ladies seemed amazed to learn that our town allows log trucks as well as flatbed trucks carrying bulldozers to travel our country roads. With all due respect, how do they think the homes are built? Increased population and explosive home development in recent years has resulted in much greater vehicular traffic on our roads, most especially large trucks. With this increased traffic, many of our roads have become nothing less than dangerous because many drivers speed, tailgate, and do not stay in their lanes.

Without a center line for guidance, many of the vehicles drive right down the center of the road, and any reasonable Killingworth resident knows it! Our First Selectman could care less. He lives on Chittenden Road . which has a sign stating “No through trucks”. His position is “we don't want roads with yellow lines on them”. If Killingworth removes the yellow centerlines, and if an accident, found to be the result of the lack of a centerline to be a contributing factor, takes place involving injury or death, imagine the ‘field day' the injured or deceased party's attorney will have. How about the tens of millions of dollars which could be awarded by a present day jury because of Killingworth's decision to remove the yellow lane dividing lines as well as our First Selectman's “we don't want roads with yellow lines on them” comment?

To any residents who may believe that a striped road will cause their property values to go down, I ask ‘if the stripes are taken off of any road in any town in this country, will those property values go up'? Of course not! A yellow stripe does not affect property values in any way.

Perhaps the most compelling reason to keep the stripe on our roads is to protect Killingworth's most precious asset, our children and grandchildren on the school busses. There have been incidents involving school busses, because of the lack of a centerline, being forced off of the road because of oncoming traffic, especially trucks, driving down the center of the road and not yielding. This is placing our school children in unnecessary danger and should be completely unacceptable to any parent, or grandparents in our case, with very young family members on the busses each school day. Isn't the safety of our children more important than the appearance of a yellow stripe on the road?

Some may feel the yellow lines are an eyesore. So are lifeguard stands and red stop signs, but no one would consider removing them because of ‘public safety'. The centerlines act as a guide, not only during normal driving conditions, but in fog as well. Why is it that most of the roads in our country have a centerline? Because the lines have been proven to cut down on head on collisions, and save lives. This is definitely a case where safety and a concern for human life should supersede ‘aesthetic rural beauty' and our roads should be striped. To even consider removing the yellow centerlines clearly demonstrates a lack of good judgment and common sense. In this matter, if the Selectmen and residents of Killingworth err in the decision, shouldn't we err on the side of health and public safety?

Folks, if this ever hits the internet, Killingworth will be known as the town that is willing to build a school for up to 1200 ten to fourteen year old children on top of 700 feet of 40 to 60 foot sheer rock vertical cliffs, as well as the town that is considering taking the yellow centerlines off of the roads. Unbelievable!

Mike Board
August 6, 2004
Killingworth