12/01/2011 Letters to the Editor

Bicycle Rodeo a huge success thanks to businesses support
The Dunnellon Police Department hosted its fourth annual Bicycle Rodeo Saturday, Nov. 19, in the parking lot of Dunnellon Plaza. This event was coordinated by Officer Mike Miley.
Sixty-five children participated in the event; all were fitted with bicycle helmets free of charge. This year’s turnout was larger than past year’s. The obstacle course consisted of four stations, which included the stop and turn signal station, rock avoidance area, serpentine and Figure 8. Cyclers of all ages were instructed on bicycle safety techniques by the code enforcement officer, police officers and staff of the Dunnellon Police Department.
Law enforcement recruits from the Criminal Justice Academy at Withlacoochee Technical Institute were also present to assist. Once completion of the course was achieved, each participant received a gift bag containing items which promote bicycle safety. All participants were entered into a drawing to win some fantastic prizes that were donated from area businesses.
More than 39 bicycles were donated through the generosity of this great Dunnellon community, which included Albert Smith’s Mobile Car Wash and Detailing, Regions Bank of Dunnellon and Dunnellon Walmart. 
We would not have been able to have such a successful event without supporters such as these. Our department was also able to donate several bikes to the Family Resource Center to help during the Holiday Season.
During this year’s event, 31 children were provided with Child Identification cards, and in addition, two child safety seats were installed and inspected by the Dunnellon Police Department.
Joel Hickman, Pro sport bike freestyle entertainer, was back to entertain with his thrilling stunts and maneuvers. Hickman spent the day visiting with children, teaching safety and even took a few minutes before his performance to be interviewed by the award-winning television production crew from the Dunnellon Middle School.
Pizza from Little Caesars and a bicycle-themed cake from Winn-Dixie were enjoyed by all.
The event was a huge success because of the community businesses and individuals that donated. I would like to thank the following for their generous donation of time and support: Albert Smith’s Mobile Car Wash and Detailing, Walmart, Regions Bank, Blue Run Bicycles, Citrus Cyclers, Britt Cotrell, Riverland News, Criminal Justice Academy at Withlacoochee Technical Institute, Adam Robinson, Marion County Deputy Lauren Thompson, the entire Dunnellon Police Department officers and Staff, Dunnellon Code Enforcement, Officer Miley’s family who purchased and donated three bikes, Dunnellon Middle School Television Production, Dunnellon Fire Rescue, Winn Dixie, , Little Caesars, Dunnellon Public Services and Dunnellon Plaza Businesses/Heritage Management Group.
I would like to thank my staff for an outstanding display of community involvement and once again giving back to the community.
Chief Joanne Black, Dunnellon Police Department
 

Red-light cameras all about the revenue
Last July, I wrote a letter to the editor about Dunnellon’s misuse of its red-light cameras in order to bolster its revenue. At a City Council workshop the following week, I endured 10 minutes of berating and belittlement by three council members before being allowed to ask a question about an unrelated matter.
I now have copies of the city’s DOT applications for the camera installations, which further prove my point. Appended to the DOT applications were copies of traffic accident reports from mid-2009 to mid-2010 meant to justify the need for the camera installations. I have analyzed these accident reports to see what relationship there might be to red-light running and have found none.
For instance, there were 10 accident reports attached to the application for the camera installation at the Walmart intersection. Seven of these pertained to accidents within the parking lot. One was the result of a northbound vehicle turning left into Walmart on a permissive green light in front of a southbound vehicle. One pertained to a side-swipe approaching Powell Road and another pertained to a rear-ender at the Powell Road intersection. None of these accidents were the result of red-light running.
Thirteen accident reports were attached to the Brooks Street camera installation application. Four of these accidents were rear-enders at a red light. Six were the result of left turns on a permissive green light into the path of a vehicle with the right-of-way. Of the remaining three accidents, one occurred in the McDonald’s parking lot while the other two were side-swipes some distance away from the intersection. None of these accidents were the result of red-light running. The simple solution to the left turn accidents would be to replace the permissive green with a red arrow as is the case at Powell Road.
Four accident reports were attached to the Powell Road camera installation application. Two of these were rear-enders to vehicles stopped at a red light while the other two were rear-enders at distances well removed from the intersection. Clearly, none of these accidents were the result of red-light running.
In summary, none of the 27 accident reports submitted with the three camera installation applications pertained to red-light running and none of them involved right-hand turns.
Then, why would the city request to install cameras pointing southbound at Walmart, northbound at Brooks Street and northbound and southbound at Powell Road?
Well, it seems that the camera vendor American Traffic Solutions (ATS) performed a 12-hour observation study at each of the intersections in early January 2010 and found 256 red-light violations, including 163 failures to stop before making a right turn. So, even though there was no documented history of accidents due to red-light running, there certainly was a strong indication that a lot of money was to be made with red-light cameras, especially for right hand turns.
What has been the outcome of the use of the red-light cameras? A summary of accidents for an eight-month period following the installation of the cameras reveals that 11 accidents occurred at the three intersections, nine of which were rear-enders while the other two were permissive left turns at Brooks Street.
For a corresponding period of time ending Sept. 30, 2011, the city anticipated collecting more than $1.6 million in red-light violation fines. After paying nearly half to the state, which does nothing to earn this hefty taxation, and the vendor ATS, the city’s anticipated take was nearly $800,000. The city’s 2012 budget calls for $630,000 in traffic code violations. I am certainly not in favor of people running red lights, but is there any doubt that the city’s use of the cameras is all about the revenue?
Burt Eno, PhD, PE (ret)
Dunnellon

Friends of the Library thank community for support
The Friends of the Dunnellon Public Library thank our community for their support of the Friends Book Store inside the library. We have successfully returned thousands of books to our community at the lowest prices anywhere, while benefiting the library with the proceeds. Our nine-day Thanksgiving Sale was a resounding success.
We cannot thank our volunteers enough for giving of their time and energies to ensure the success of the book store. Look for the volunteer’s special sales depending on volume and inventory. Also available are VHS and DVD movies, puzzles, music CDs and Books On Tape and CD and 10-cent magazines and romance books.
Our inventory changes daily as we continue to accept gently read books in all categories. Donations are accepted during store hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Ask about gift certificates for Christmas and the Friends Gold Tree Ornament.
All proceeds from book sales, membership fees and other fundraisers are for the benefit of the Dunnellon Public Library. The Friends sponsor Children’s and Adult Programs as well as continuing to meet our commitment of $2,500 a month toward a Book Endowment (new library books) and much more.
The Friends of the Dunnellon Public Library Book Store Committee

Thank you for supporting Special Olympics, Relay for Life
Relay for Life Piggy Bankers/city of Dunnellon Team, Dunnellon Police Department and Cadence Bank would like to thank everyone who came out and participated in our “Kid’s Zone” area Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Victoria Holiday Event, sponsored by the Historical Village Shops of Dunnellon.
During this event, children of all ages were able to enjoy an evening of celebration at the “Kids Zone,” including a Bounce House donated by Kids Events, Petting Zoo, which included “Milkshake and Vanilla” donkeys rescued in the Dunnellon animal hoarding case, write and mail letters to Santa, coloring contests, games including toss the ball and win a fish provided by Pet’s Plus.
Photo opportunities were available with both “inside” and “outside” backdrops, as well as a wonderful dancing light display provided by Darlene and Steve Parker. Refreshments including hot apple cider, hot chocolate, soda, chips, hot dogs, cookies and brownies were also available for all to enjoy.
This evening was a huge success and enjoyed by all. All proceeds from this event went directly to American Cancer Society Relay for Life and Special Olympics Florida.
We would like to thank the following for making this event possible: Historical Village Shops of Dunnellon, Kid Events, Joan and Jack Eubank of Eubank Acre Farms, Pet’s Plus, Coverall Cleaning, Aarons’ Rental, Adam Robinson, Michael Anger, Steve Parker, Beth Wear, Creations by Clovis, Cadence Bank, Dr. Dane Myers, Rob Beebe, Riverland News, and all of our wonderful police officers and staff who volunteered their time to help make this event something special for all.
Tammy Myers
Relay for Life Event Chairperson/Special Olympics Volunteer