2018 mUNICIPAL cANDIDATE qUESTIONNAIRE
issue #3: tRAFFIC
The East Trenton neighborhood, because it is next to Route 1 and includes a number of industrial and commercial businesses on the northeast end, experiences significant commercial truck traffic on residential streets. These large vehicles often block streets, for hours at a time, and stop residents from leaving or returning to their homes. North Clinton and North Olden Avenues, as commercial corridors that connect to surrounding areas, also have heavy traffic with cars often exceeding the speed limit. Many children walk to school to Wilson, Grant, Robeson, and Columbus elementary schools, and must navigate the traffic on their daily walk to and from school. Air pollution is also a big concern, and the streets themselves, both commercial and residential, have severe potholes.
QUESTION: We want our streets to be usable and safe. What will you do to make sure the streets are well-maintained, and that traffic does not negatively affect residents and their children?
Marge Caldwell-Wilson (North Ward): This has certainly been an ongoing issue, here we are again at lack of enforcement. We need more monitored Pedestrian crossings to enable safe passage across these streets. The Mantra that we don't have enough police is old, and if the police cannot be responsible for maintaining safety then let's hire some off duty police to do so during heavy traffic hours.
Algernon Ward, Jr. (North Ward): I was appalled to learn how grant money for road maintenance was lost because it was not applied for in a timely fashion. This is not the first time that has happened, but when I'm elected to city council, it will be the last. If it happens again, someone will be fired. I will lead an effort with NJDOT to have off-ramps built from Route 1 into the industrial areas long the tracks so that truck traffic can be diverted from pedestrian streets but still make deliveries to commercial businesses located there.
Santiago Rodriguez (At Large): The most important thing we need is a responsible and efficient Public Works Director that will not let a low key employee be in charge of requesting funds from the Transportation Fund. Spreed limits have to be enforced. Olden Ave looks like a highway . I visit St Joseph Church frequently and it is very dangerous to cross Olden. I am familiar with the schools in the neighborhood. I used to work as a Social Worker for DYFS and had to visit children at those schools. Drug dealing issues have to aggressively be confronted. I will recommend the creation of a Public Safety Director to oversee both the Police and Fire Departments. Safety is an issue that needs to be prioritized across the City.
Rachel Cogsville-Lattimer (At Large): I would hold meetings with COT to encourage enforcement of the local ordinances. I would meet with COT and all government sectors about air pollution and the enforcement of air pollution ordinances that are applicable to the law. As funding is allowed urge the administration to employ additional crossing guards. I would explore the procedures and the quality of materials that are used in current efforts of maintaining the roads.
Jerell Blakeley (At-Large): I support the creation of speed bumps in areas frequented by children and an increase of crossing guards in school zones.
Elvin Montero (At Large): I would support the establishment of criteria that will allow the city to prioritize street repair and replacement of streets/roads under the city’s management. This plan will also help in applying for funding from the state’s Transportation Trust Fund. Updating the list with potential projects and costs, will allow the city to be proactive in seeking funding from various sources, when the city’s own resources are overextended and can’t address all of the need in one fiscal year. Better coordination with Mercer County will be encouraged for those roads under their supervision. As well, making sure utilities that continue to replace pipes, cable lines, etc. must repair streets in a timely fashion. Making the streets/sidewalks more pedestrian friendly is important, clearly marking crosswalks, and ensuring that lights are working appropriately. As the city becomes more attractive to investors, developers, and residents, the city should definitely look into traffic patterns, and as we encourage development such patterns and the impact on the community should be taken into consideration in the overall project design. We need to find a balance between quality of life and economic development.
Duncan Harrison (Mayoral): One of the cornerstones of my campaign is restoring transparency, accountability and service to City Hall. I will dedicate City Hall staff to work on grants full time so that we do not miss critical infrastructure funding opportunities. Serving on the City Council Budget Committee has given me great perspective on City finances. As Mayor, I will work with the City Council to ensure infrastructure funding that provides safe routes to school for our children is prioritized. I will also redesign the city’s online services to make city government more efficient and responsive to its residents including direct reporting of pot holes and other needed street repairs to the public works department. Environmental health is an often overlooked aspect of children’s well-being. I want to begin addressing environmental issues as Mayor, and I will work with City Council to introduce and implement anti-idling ordinances, as well as increased traffic enforcement from the Trenton Police Department in neighborhoods around Route One.
Annette H. Lartigue (Mayoral): My administration will take the lead for safer streets by: 1 - We will prioritize safety. 2 - Lower speed limits. 3 - Code enforcement (Commercial Vehicles). 4 - We will partner with the Trenton Police and State Police on traffic calming measures ie. speeding.
Walker Worthy (Mayoral): Montgomery Street, West State Street, Warren Street, North Broad Street, Pennington Avenue and many other major roads are covered with potholes, because these roads are predominantly used by out-of-town statehouse workers, who don't pay taxes to repave our streets. I will demand the state of New Jersey provides adequate funding for these repairs caused by non-residents.
Reed Gusciora (Mayoral): In my Assembly role, I consistently fight to ensure that resources are available to Trenton; and I was recently shocked to discover that the City of Trenton had not applied to the annual call for proposals for Municipal Aid from the Transportation Trust Fund. That is a basic initial step to ensuring that our streets are usable: securing all available resources for capital improvements. Additionally, my administration will place a priority on implementing a Complete Streets policy throughout Trenton: making our streets safer for pedestrians and bikes, making street parking work better, and identifying areas where intensive interventions – such as re-routing traffic or designating one-way streets – will work. We will work with communities to identify key intersections that need traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps, stop signs or traffic lights, and potentially traffic cameras. I mentioned above the 311 system that my administration will implement to help identify trouble spots and proactively intervene in them. I also believe that there is a significant environmental justice issue in the East Trenton Neighborhood that we don’t often discuss: as it is one of the few parts of the city with a strong presence of industrial, warehousing, and distribution businesses, heavy trucks are continuously moving through the neighborhood. In some instances, residents have told us about the trucks blocking them on their streets. And heavy trucks significantly pollute the neighborhood, causing East Trenton residents to disproportionately bear the health consequences. My administration will work with residents and the businesses to reroute heavy truck traffic away from the residential streets and increase enforcement of violations at the State and Federal level.
QUESTION: We want our streets to be usable and safe. What will you do to make sure the streets are well-maintained, and that traffic does not negatively affect residents and their children?
Marge Caldwell-Wilson (North Ward): This has certainly been an ongoing issue, here we are again at lack of enforcement. We need more monitored Pedestrian crossings to enable safe passage across these streets. The Mantra that we don't have enough police is old, and if the police cannot be responsible for maintaining safety then let's hire some off duty police to do so during heavy traffic hours.
Algernon Ward, Jr. (North Ward): I was appalled to learn how grant money for road maintenance was lost because it was not applied for in a timely fashion. This is not the first time that has happened, but when I'm elected to city council, it will be the last. If it happens again, someone will be fired. I will lead an effort with NJDOT to have off-ramps built from Route 1 into the industrial areas long the tracks so that truck traffic can be diverted from pedestrian streets but still make deliveries to commercial businesses located there.
Santiago Rodriguez (At Large): The most important thing we need is a responsible and efficient Public Works Director that will not let a low key employee be in charge of requesting funds from the Transportation Fund. Spreed limits have to be enforced. Olden Ave looks like a highway . I visit St Joseph Church frequently and it is very dangerous to cross Olden. I am familiar with the schools in the neighborhood. I used to work as a Social Worker for DYFS and had to visit children at those schools. Drug dealing issues have to aggressively be confronted. I will recommend the creation of a Public Safety Director to oversee both the Police and Fire Departments. Safety is an issue that needs to be prioritized across the City.
Rachel Cogsville-Lattimer (At Large): I would hold meetings with COT to encourage enforcement of the local ordinances. I would meet with COT and all government sectors about air pollution and the enforcement of air pollution ordinances that are applicable to the law. As funding is allowed urge the administration to employ additional crossing guards. I would explore the procedures and the quality of materials that are used in current efforts of maintaining the roads.
Jerell Blakeley (At-Large): I support the creation of speed bumps in areas frequented by children and an increase of crossing guards in school zones.
Elvin Montero (At Large): I would support the establishment of criteria that will allow the city to prioritize street repair and replacement of streets/roads under the city’s management. This plan will also help in applying for funding from the state’s Transportation Trust Fund. Updating the list with potential projects and costs, will allow the city to be proactive in seeking funding from various sources, when the city’s own resources are overextended and can’t address all of the need in one fiscal year. Better coordination with Mercer County will be encouraged for those roads under their supervision. As well, making sure utilities that continue to replace pipes, cable lines, etc. must repair streets in a timely fashion. Making the streets/sidewalks more pedestrian friendly is important, clearly marking crosswalks, and ensuring that lights are working appropriately. As the city becomes more attractive to investors, developers, and residents, the city should definitely look into traffic patterns, and as we encourage development such patterns and the impact on the community should be taken into consideration in the overall project design. We need to find a balance between quality of life and economic development.
Duncan Harrison (Mayoral): One of the cornerstones of my campaign is restoring transparency, accountability and service to City Hall. I will dedicate City Hall staff to work on grants full time so that we do not miss critical infrastructure funding opportunities. Serving on the City Council Budget Committee has given me great perspective on City finances. As Mayor, I will work with the City Council to ensure infrastructure funding that provides safe routes to school for our children is prioritized. I will also redesign the city’s online services to make city government more efficient and responsive to its residents including direct reporting of pot holes and other needed street repairs to the public works department. Environmental health is an often overlooked aspect of children’s well-being. I want to begin addressing environmental issues as Mayor, and I will work with City Council to introduce and implement anti-idling ordinances, as well as increased traffic enforcement from the Trenton Police Department in neighborhoods around Route One.
Annette H. Lartigue (Mayoral): My administration will take the lead for safer streets by: 1 - We will prioritize safety. 2 - Lower speed limits. 3 - Code enforcement (Commercial Vehicles). 4 - We will partner with the Trenton Police and State Police on traffic calming measures ie. speeding.
Walker Worthy (Mayoral): Montgomery Street, West State Street, Warren Street, North Broad Street, Pennington Avenue and many other major roads are covered with potholes, because these roads are predominantly used by out-of-town statehouse workers, who don't pay taxes to repave our streets. I will demand the state of New Jersey provides adequate funding for these repairs caused by non-residents.
Reed Gusciora (Mayoral): In my Assembly role, I consistently fight to ensure that resources are available to Trenton; and I was recently shocked to discover that the City of Trenton had not applied to the annual call for proposals for Municipal Aid from the Transportation Trust Fund. That is a basic initial step to ensuring that our streets are usable: securing all available resources for capital improvements. Additionally, my administration will place a priority on implementing a Complete Streets policy throughout Trenton: making our streets safer for pedestrians and bikes, making street parking work better, and identifying areas where intensive interventions – such as re-routing traffic or designating one-way streets – will work. We will work with communities to identify key intersections that need traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps, stop signs or traffic lights, and potentially traffic cameras. I mentioned above the 311 system that my administration will implement to help identify trouble spots and proactively intervene in them. I also believe that there is a significant environmental justice issue in the East Trenton Neighborhood that we don’t often discuss: as it is one of the few parts of the city with a strong presence of industrial, warehousing, and distribution businesses, heavy trucks are continuously moving through the neighborhood. In some instances, residents have told us about the trucks blocking them on their streets. And heavy trucks significantly pollute the neighborhood, causing East Trenton residents to disproportionately bear the health consequences. My administration will work with residents and the businesses to reroute heavy truck traffic away from the residential streets and increase enforcement of violations at the State and Federal level.