Let me add another negative comment about the "safety" islands
recently installed on Geneva and Mountain. Even the most ardent advocate
of these structures will admit that they are ugly, so I need not mention
how their presence affects the beauty of our area.
We have lived in our present home since 1943, and have always been so
glad that we chose a section of the city where the property owners took
pride in their houses and yards, maintaining and improving throughout the
years. We have been congratulated often by out-of-town visitors who envy
us our attractive surroundings so close to urban access. Last week,
however, a guest from San Diego exclaimed "What is going on?"
In my opinion, these weird signposts and projections at these
intersections are actually dangerous. A driver wishing to make a left
turn off of Mountain can no longer do so from the middle of the road. He
must first steer his vehicle between obstacles which force him in a wide
right arc, sending him looping around the post in the center of Mountain,
where another right curve completes his left turn. If this sounds
ridiculous, it's because it is. No good driver would turn left in front
of oncoming traffic, and now he has to consider the cars coming from his
right, since his first move is in their direction. This maneuver is both
tedious and tricky.
I spoke with a friend who lives on Mountain and is so upset he plans
to move, although he has his business here and a lovely home. One of
these so-called "safety" circles has been planted in front of his garage
door. This spot is not even at an intersection. I can only echo my San
Diego friend who said, "What is going on?"
LUCY A. HIRT
Glendale
