“The city won’t pay for the crossing light (the city estimated the cost at $20,000) so the residents are trying to raise the money themselves”
SENIORS, DISABLED SPIRIT THE POWER OF THE T-REX
Lutheran Manor Residents Gather Signatures,
Community Support for a Lighted Crosswalk
Aug. 29, Bethlehem, Pa. – As school crossing guards are mobilized this week for the opening of Bethlehem schools, there are no crossing guards available to make sure seniors and the disabled can safely cross Westgate Drive. Passing motorists couldn’t help but notice the T-Rex who accompanied Lutheran Manor residents Monday as they continue their safety walk at the intersection of Westgate Drive and Bathgate Drive where they have asked for a lighted crosswalk and a lower speed limit.
“We are out here because this intersection is very dangerous,” said Lutheran Manor resident and group organizer Richard Harding. “I’ve almost been sideswiped several different times. One time I got knocked over and my groceries went all over the street,” Harding said.
Another one of the “Walkers,” Sharon Jones said, “I can move fast but this scares the heck out of me. We are trying to get some kind of crossing light here.”
Lutheran Manor “Walker” organizer Linda Ostrander stood at the nearby bus stop gathering signatures on a petition in support of the lower speed limit. Muhlenberg Hospital workers, area nursing home employees and residents ride the bus that stops about 50 feet from the crosswalk. “We have a lot of people who come by in the morning to go to the hospital to get to work and they wave and let us know they support us,” she said.
“We will be out here again on Friday,” said Amy (T-Rex) Zanelli, the Democratic candidate for Lehigh County Commissioner District 3. Zanelli has been an advocate for the “Walkers” since April when they met at a senior fair at Westgate Mall. Zanelli helped the residents develop a letter writing campaign and appeared with them before the Bethlehem City Council and the Citizens Traffic Advisory Committee. The city won’t pay for the crossing light (the city estimated the cost at $20,000) so the residents are trying to raise the money themselves through this online donation site: https://www.youcaring.com/lindaostranderandthewalkers-917478
For more information about the petition or to help with this effort, contact Richard Harding at r.harding@ymail.com or Amy Zanelli at AmyZ4District3@gmail.com.
Information Provided By:
Carolynn Fedor
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