I am generally not considered a stubborn or angry person, but I admit there are times when circumstance makes me feel as though my blood is beginning to boil over. For many years I have bemoaned the fact that one day a pedestrian will die crossing the corner of Westminster and New Bridge. Those of us who live on the opposite side of Cong. Beth Abraham on New Bridge suffer each week in total darkness or even bright sunlight watching the impertinent drivers continually refusing to stop at the crosswalk. We are talking of those who live in Bergenfield and New Milford who start at this corner to begin their walk home. The alternative would be to walk on New Bridge on the Beth Abraham side where, many years ago, someone in the city government deemed it unnecessary to have a sidewalk. Yes, I do know that New Bridge is a county street.
For those who wonder, I will continue to work on this until the situation is rectified. Two months ago I met with others who are concerned about the situation on a Friday night and we all voiced our frustration. We reminded each other that a crossing guard had been hit by a car several years ago on Rosh Hashanah, and still we are in the very same situation as we were then. Something must be done.
Per our Shabbat get-together I decided that before we go to the newspapers and others who have more clout than the city council of Bergenfield, I would invite newly appointed Mayor Arvin Amatorio to meet me in my home and see through my eyes and his the dangers that are involved with (1) walking on a sidewalk that is broken in many, many places in the pitch dark, (2) the lack of lighting along the street as you walk and (3) the impossibility of crossing at the crosswalk where there is absolutely no lighting.
Mayor Amatorio cordially accepted my invitation to join me on Thursday evening, November 5, and brought along an unexpected guest: Corey Gallo, the borough administrator. Mr. Gallo had no recollection that I had met with him several years ago in his office. It was at that time that he explained to me that one could not erect a flashing crosswalk sign at the corner because people would object that it would shine into their homes. I was not asking for a regular traffic light because he had told me years ago that because the street is a county street the city has no jurisdiction to put another light up as it is too close to the one on South Prospect. I understood and never suggested such a light. I was only requesting a flashing crosswalk light that would at least make drivers aware of the corner throughout the day and night. In my naivete I actually thought we were on the same page.
Both gentlemen saw the darkness of the street and Mr. Gallo did suggest that they could put street lights on New Bridge. He also suggested that the reason for the problem is that the shul moved the crosswalk and refused a light that people would have to use to cross by pushing a button, which he explained was because “the rabbi would not allow it.” I explained that we were prohibited from doing so on the Jewish Sabbath.
Mr. Gallo proceeded to walk, at my suggestion, to Westminster Gate, which connects Westminster and Highgate Terrace. On that one particular street there is not one light and it is black as coal. Last Friday night as I walked there, I barely missed walking into the people coming towards me. There was literally no way to see each other. Mr. Gallo agreed that the street was indeed very dark.
As I have mentioned before many times, I do believe in miracles. Nissim do happen. I thought for sure that before Chanukah I would have heard from either Mayor Amatorio or Mr. Gallo as to what steps they have taken to rectify some of these perilous situations. Indeed, if I do hear from them at this point it would be a “nes.”
I have watched young children trying to cross at the corner. Grown men cross on Shabbos and during the week wearing dark clothing without sashes. Children get off school buses late in the afternoon when it is pitch dark and there is no way to see them. The majority are not wearing sashes.
Our streets are unlit in a way that leaves so many tragedies waiting to happen. For those of you who joined me and for those of you who are interested in furthering the safety of our neighborhood, please be in touch with me at [email protected] so I can share with you the next steps we will attempt in order to make our community safer.
By Nina Glick
