My West Side Rant
IT's My Opinion:
So this IS my site - my opinion and my opinion / perception of a few things. Yes I am a resident of the seemingly lost and forgotten out here in West Lethbridge. I've resided on the west side for over 20 years and have seen many a change happen. Some good and some... well.... So I have decided to share a little more about my take on the world.
Service Station
You always hear those parental type stories 'When I was a kid' - so why should I be any different. If you really think about it - our society has done some major changes and I can't say that I am fond of some of them. I MY day - you went to a 'Service Station' where an attendant - yes a REAL person - would fill the gas tank, check the oil, wash the windshields and all. How many people started out working at such a job. Today - YOU are the attendant and all and you even can prepay at the pump. We've managed to do away with so many types of employment that allowed human interaction, manners, service with a smile and the opportunity for employment. Service is NOT dead - just real difficult to find! I applaud the Service stations that actually do hire people and take a few more off the unemployment lines.
Under Construction
Honestly I think we need to come up with better road signage than Under Construction. To me that implies progress, a change for the better, new and improved, you'll love it when it's done. The thoughts of being able to buy birthday cakes for Under Consctuction projects... And hey while I am ranting anyway - Speed Zone Begins signs - encouraging you to SLOW down - pardon me - this doesn't mean the people Working there should slow down to work - it's targeted to the motorists. Having said - I have seen Fine examples of 'sit there and watch' while Others work.
Under Serviced on the West side?
A Great neighbourhood of oh, say.. 25,000 people or so.. it is amazing how UNDER SERVICED the west side really is. Seems there's a lot of unrealized potential over here business world!
Choices of West Side Restaurants
The choices for good food, good shopping, etc. are almost non-existent over here! A good quality family restaurant?? Or an option to go out for a (not fast food) meal that is Not a bar?
ADDITIONAL Delivery Charges To West Side?
Just think what a money grab it is - you order some food and discover "Oh there's an additional charge of $3.50 for the west side deliveries. Do you charge extra for delivery to the North end of town? To the far South end of Town? Oh PLEASE. Oh Wait! What Choice do we have??? Who said something about somewhat underserviced over here on the west side? Keep that in mind next time You place an order for delivery!
Cameras at Particular Intersections
You know if you ever installed cameras at the intersection of McMaster and Columbia - there'd be a fortune made on people who just flat out Refuse to stop at the red light. They take that right hand turn with little or NO consideration of the fact you are RIGHT AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!!!! Come ON people - there are CHILDREN here! Not to mention that the offense carries a substantial fine to go along with it if caught. Remember - your bad driving habits may well be reported by any particular caring, responsible driver with a cell phone. The police might just be looking to have a word with you!
Weather Considerations When Developing Communities?
Honestly the way the land has been laid out over on the west side it makes you wonder - do they Ever think about how Mother Nature might take to their development? We've seen some pretty substantial drifts and entire areas left immobilized due to the way the snow has drifted in. Environmental impact studies impact area developments - maybe a meteorological assessment should be too?
Slippery Accidents On Whoopup Drive
Now think about this folks - being careless with the brakes on an icy downhill stretch of road which crosses a potentially ICY bridge deck - it's a recipe for disaster. Actually it's an annual event with many a participant. If you stop on an icy incline and your car does NOT have winter tires - you may NOT be able to go forward?? Something about physics and freezing and traction and whatever else. May I suggest some of you reconsider public transit in inclement weather. OR - even More often and help conserve our natural resources and reduce emissions! Be envionmentally aware!
Police Presence on Whoopup Drive Accidents
Here's a good one! A multi vehicle accident occurred on eastbound Whoopup Drive. The roads were not in the best of condition - as I drove west I noticed a police car had taken the Southbound Scenic Drive exit to the west side. Lights flashing and all - but nobody moved to the side to allow passage. To make matters worse - not being able to dispatch help From the west side - they have to travel In bad roads all the way to the top of the west side hill, over the overpass and then back east again just to attend to the accident! Look since we Can't bet on a traffic police car being dedicated to the west side - you will Just have to be more considerate and GET OUT OF THE WAY when there is an emergency vehicle behind you! It's the LAW!
Sunlight In Your FACE
Ok look - as the sun sets in the west (remember this from school?) if you are Driving west you May be getting that lovely blast of direct sunlight in your eyes as the day goes on. Fill up your windshield wiper fluids, make sure you have GOOD quality wiper blades - there's been many an accident due to lack of preparedness. Get sunglasses and Use them - it Could mean your life!
3 Lane Changes
Gotta love the @#$% that blasts past you in the left hand lane just to get ahead of everyone else an make a hard 3 lane change to turn and head south on University drive. How many nanoseconds did you save there Just to get ahead of us all?
Traffic Light Settings
This Definitely makes me scratch my head. Not just the west side but all over. There are some high volume traffic intersections (for example 5th Ave and Mayor Magrath Drive South - are we afraid to use that Advance Left Turn bulb? I'm concerned that with the city policy of not idling city vehicles over 2 minutes - we will have many turned off at some of these intersections while they wait to get through!
Tearing up that same old road again?
I think sod contractors have the best of all contracts - recurring revenues! After all - how many times do they get to replant all that grass and fix up the excavation marks after yet One more change is made to a road that should have been initially done properly instead of Upgrade (and Upgrade and Upgrade yet again!). Yup them and the cement contractors. Instead of allowing 2 lane left hand turns - we close up a lane with a whack of cement. Just to clarify things - that Does restrict traffic to one lane!
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