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DOT's
camera poles raise more questions
EDITOR:
I'm
writing about the state Department of Transportation project to monitor
traffic along U.S. 1 in the Florida Keys. I have some questions that I
would please like to have answered. I have sent these questions to the
governor and hope that many of you do the same.
·
Who is funding this project?
·
Who will be monitoring the cameras? Will
this be subcontracted?
·
How much is the budget for the cameras per
year?
·
I do not understand what exactly these
cameras are going to do and what information is going to be collected.
Does the camera system have any thing to do with the additional money
that may be allotted to
Monroe County for a dedicated emergency
operations center?
Some things to think about before the system
is implemented:
There is only one
road in and out of the Keys. How is DOT going to suggest a different
route? It already has the signs in Key Largo to tell us to use Card
Sound Road if necessary.
We need much more help with our sewer system
than we do with traffic. I know the Keys are always threatening to leave
Florida and start a new state, but I do not think this is a real good
reason for monitoring the citizens. Honest, this is not a terrorist
stronghold.
George Hayduck
Marathon
Pole money would be better
spent elsewhere
EDITOR:
I can't
believe that these camera poles were put in without any discussion or
vote. They were just shoved down our throats whether we like them or
not, being treated like children like we don't know what's good for us.
We could have used that money for a thousand
other necessary and responsible projects (improving our schools, for
one) that would have made the Keys better, not ugly with useless signs.
And they are totally useless.
One of your readers wrote last week, “And
what are we supposed to do with that knowledge [of traffic flow provided
by the cameras]? Take another route?” It is so true. Thought should have
gone into taking care of the accidents in a faster manner, not just
telling us about them.
We should keep
voicing our opinion until Gov. Jeb Bush removes them.
Jean
Hering
Key
Colony Beach
DOT would
reroute us right into the water
EDITOR:
Those
unsightly poles for the communications/camera systems that the state
Department of Transportation says are necessary are in place all over
Florida. The big difference with the Keys - besides destroying another
piece of natural beauty - is that the main purpose of the poles is
invalidated on U.S. 1.
DOT uses the systems on top of the poles to
re-route traffic and to counter the congestion caused by evacuations.
Where do the DOT people think we are going to re-route during an
evacuation? Into the
Atlantic or Gulf side? Truly a worthless
expenditure for the state when the purpose makes no sense in the Keys.
Ken Hoffman
Panama City
Who's
making money on the camera poles?
EDITOR:
In
reference to the Keynoter article, “DOT firm on keeping traffic poles.”
What part of “other than U.S. 1, there are no routes to take when
leaving the Keys” does the state Department of Transportation not
understand?
The poles add no value whatsoever to
residents or our valued visitors of the fabulous
Florida Keys. It
appears some politician's brother has a business in either the concrete
pole or camera business.
John Rooks |
