In response to your editorial written July 15, “Connected communities better for emergency response times,” the following is to clarify the recent request made by the Governors community for installing gates between communities.
The recent request by the Governors board of directors was made and presented to both the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission and Sussex County Council. The Jack Lingo Asset Management proposal as submitted and currently pending with Sussex County Council for a new development at the corner of Kings Highway and Gills Neck Road includes a thoroughfare between the proposed Village Center and the Governors 423-home residential community.
This cut through will encourage vehicles to drive directly past the Governors’ community pool, children’s playground and community amenities, risking the safety of our residents.
The request by the Governors board is for a siren-activated gate/arm to be installed. This is a fail safe breakaway arm. During an emergency situation, it raises upon siren activation. During a power loss, it raises. If for some reason it didn’t raise during an emergency situation, a vehicle could easily drive through it because the arm is fastened with synthetic breakaway fasteners. This allows for the passage of bikes, pedestrians and emergency vehicles at all times.
As explained in your editorial, “Each situation is unique. What might create a safety issue in one case may not in the other. It is important that Sussex County officials carefully analyze these cases, and others that may come before them in the future. But what’s most important is that Sussex officials encourage and require interconnectivity, whether it is open and free-flowing or available only to bicyclists, pedestrians and emergency responders.”
By allowing access to pedestrians, bicyclists and emergency vehicles only, Sussex County officials can provide interconnectivity and ensure the safety and welfare of our community.
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