To the Editor:

Last Wednesday and Thursday, both perfect fall weather, there was a terrible back-up of cars going in all directions between 8 and 8:15 a.m. at my crossing guard post. Worse, on Thursday, motorists were honking their horns in impatience at having to wait their turn. While there were some road closures, I don’t think that accounts for the delays — the closures were no worse than the previous week, but the traffic was.

I think part of the problem is that it is early in the school year, and students and parents are eager to get to school to live up to personal resolutions to “be the early bird” and “catch the worm.” An admirable goal, but I have a suggestion for an equally admirable approach which doesn’t involve waiting in line.

Just because you live too far from school for your child to walk from home doesn’t mean you have to drive them all the way. Please consider dropping them off a few blocks from school and letting them walk the rest of the way. This is a win for the child, giving them a little extra fresh air and exercise, a win for you, not having to sit in a long line of cars, and a win for the environment, reducing idling time and emissions.

If this idea doesn’t work for you, be prepared to wait, and please don’t honk! I am doing the best I can to move things along while keeping our kids safe.

David Cohen
Crossing Guard/Councilman
Witherspoon Street