I want to comment on your Jan. 27 article,
”
Demands to close Nash Road,
”
where you report on demands made by members of San Benito High
School, of the school’s traffic and safety advisory group and a
representative of the California Highway Patrol regarding the need
to close Nash Road. Those quoted in the article seem to ascribe the
lack of action on the issue to
”
lack of political will
”
on the part of local government officials.
I want to comment on your Jan. 27 article, “Demands to close Nash Road,” where you report on demands made by members of San Benito High School, of the school’s traffic and safety advisory group and a representative of the California Highway Patrol regarding the need to close Nash Road. Those quoted in the article seem to ascribe the lack of action on the issue to “lack of political will” on the part of local government officials.
I was taken aback by the lack of impartiality, even arrogance, shown in the statements reported. None appeared to be concerned with the needs of other users of Nash Road or the impact on traffic flow that the closure of the road would have on surrounding areas. In fact, their statements suggested that the students’ safety and thus high school and CHP concerns are the only consideration needed to view the issue. I don’t know the status of the discussions with local government officials, but hope all other aspects of the situation and disruptions on traffic flow are being carefully evaluated.
I was dismayed at the lack of balance and perspective in the statements quoted. How can high school and CHP officials afford to judge an issue as complex as this one without allowing that they know there are needs other than their own that must be part of the discussion? I didn’t get a sense that they are seeking a solution that addresses the needs of others.
As a resident of the area west of the high school, Nash Road is my daily access to shopping, banking and everything else, just as it is for all other neighbors of the high school on this side of town. We have to entrust that our local government representatives keep our needs in mind when discussing the issue of the closure of Nash Road with high school and CHP officials since we cannot all be present when these conversations take place.
I would like to think that most of us would take a more open-minded and balanced approach if we participated in those conversations, one that weighed the needs of all users. I don’t think San Benito High School is concerned about being a good neighbor. Now that it has brought a new edition of its campus further west, all of us in their general vicinity should be wary of the changes that a more spread out campus will bring to our daily lives.
Bea C. Lawn,
Hollister
