SEQUIM — Unsafe driving on city streets, what’s being done about a new City Hall and the Olympic Discovery Trail were topics discussed at a forum before the Sequim City Council on Monday.
The forum was intended to foster communication between the community and city leaders, who have spent time lately trying to figure out ways to keep area residents informed about city activities and solicit input about them.
The meeting drew about two dozen people, which is more than usually attend a City Council meeting but not as many as council members hoped would show up.
Traffic a prime concern
Traffic was a prime concern of the people who were there.
Glenda Totten, who lives on West Cedar Street a few blocks from City Hall, said the removal of stop signs on Cedar Street has led to speeding cars on her block.
Children and pets play there, and cars are going too fast for a residential street, she said.
“I see a tragedy happening there,” Totten said. “I really do.”
The city recently switched the stop signs on Cedar Street so that vehicles traveling east and west are unimpeded, while those going north and south crossing Cedar Street must stop.
The aim was to take traffic pressure off Washington Street, Sequim’s main east-west corridor that is congested several times a day.
“There is a real traffic flow problem on the main road,” said Ron Hatch, another West Cedar Street resident, who said that problems like speeders on side roads wouldn’t be solved until the main thoroughfare is more usable.
Sequim Police Chief Robert Spinks said people should report instances of speeding and reckless driving so that officers know a problem exists.
“It is incredibly important for each one of you to help us,” he said.
“I can’t stress how important it is for the community to be a squeaky wheel.”