Speno, Wydler Join In Action
To Improve Rail Crossing Safety
Chambers Of Commerce
Invited To Discuss Problems
- State Senator Edward J. Speno
and Congressman John W. Wydler
announced plans to correct a
highway hazard that has existed
since horse and buggy days.
" It's such a simple thing,"
Speno said. We merely propose
that railroad crossing gates,
which have been painted black and
white ever since the first gate
was installed, should now be
painted a high visibility yellow,
using reflective paint.
" We believe the annual grade
crossing toll, which is nearly
three thousand lives with countless
thousands injured or
crippled, can be greatly reduced
by using color."
Congressman Wydler said he
has drawn up legislation which he
plans to drop into the Congressional
hopper today, calling on
the Inter- State Commerce Commission
to order colored gates
at all crossings as soon as the
proper design is determined.
Senator Speno reported he already
has discussed the matter
with Frank Aikman, Jr., president
of the Long Island Railroad,
and finds him " enthusiastic."
The Senator explained that
there is an old regulation of the
State Public Service Commission
which specifies black and white
paint and even determines the
dimensions of each painted
section. He said the regulation
could be altered simply by a
Commission order, without any
legislative action necessary. He
is ready, he said, to have the
state ruling changed when the
new federal regulation becomes
effective.
It was Senator Speno, a leader
in the current battle for highway
and traffic safety over the
nation, who realized that little
had been done to take advantage
of scientific knowledge to im-improve
rail crossing safety in
more than 60 years.
" Now when we are long past
the horse and buggy era and
are well into the atomic age,
we are finally going to take advantage
of the research which has
been done on visibility during
the part few decades," he added.
Wydler pointed out that the
Air Force has experimented in
the past to determine what color
could be distinguished easier and
at a greater distance. He said he
would suggest that the Inter-
State commerce Commission use
the results of these tests in wording
the proposed new crossing
gate regulation for the railroads.
Both Speno and Wydler believe
the necessary law can be passed
and the new colored gates installed
within a year, so that the
added protection can be had by
next Summer's motorists.
Senator Speno, Chairman of the
Joint Legislative Committee on
Highway and Traffic Safety, was
the prime mover in designing a
safety automobile, and was responsible
for the pas sage of other
seat belts.
" It amazes me," he said, " that
right under our noses, all these
years, there existed such a
hazard and no one has taken
steps to correct it. Incomplete
records show that perhaps 3,000
people died at grade crossings
last year and thousands were
mutilated. Let's slash this horrible
statistic.
Nassau County Executive Eugene
H. Nickerson announced that
he is inviting representatives of
local Chambers of Commerce to
meet with him on Monday, July
10 to discuss the problems of
the small businessman.
Nickerson said that the purpose
of the conference would be " to
exchange ideas on how the County
can do more to assist small
business prosperity." He said
he would like to establish a Small
Business Advisory Council, representing
local business organizations,
to meet periodically
with Commissioner Paul M. O'
Brien of the Department of Commerce
and Industry.
" Attracting industry and large
business firms to Nassau brings
obvious benefits to small business,"
Nickerson said, " but
there are problems now being
faced by neighborhood merchants
and other small businessmen
which urgently need attention.
" The greatest of these is a
feeling of isolation, a lack of
coordination and exchange of
information between small businessmen
in one community and a-nother.
" We should have in every Nassau
community full participation
in economic growth by the neighborhood
shopping streets and business
hubs.
" It is not government's role to
do the small businessman's job
for him, but through closer cooperation
be' veen businessmen
and local government, public officials
can give better counsel
and information on any problems
that may stand in the way of economic
growth."
Nickerson said that Commissioner
O'Brien will visit each of
the 44 Chambers of Commerce
and Boards of Trade in Nassau
to report back on small business
problems and recommend what
assistance County Government
can lend.
Weekly Wednesday
Special Events At Parks
Official Urges Home And Highway
Check For Vacationers
County Clerk Franklin H. Orn-stein
reminded residents that a
few simple precautions can insure
a happy, safe holiday trip
and a pleasant return to their
safe home during this vacation
period. He pointed out the preparing
one's home for an extended
vacancy and taking care on the
road are two major steps which
the average citizen can take to
insure a happy vacation.
While still at home, Orn-owner
" ma! fe*' up W tfwn^ CK
list of things he will have to
do before he leaves. This is
the list of things he will have
to do before he leaves. This
list will include shutting off the
gas, cutting off milk delivery,
arranging to continue to have your
grass cut and your garden cared
for so that it doesn't have the
abandoned, overgrown look which
would- be prowlers look for.
Naturally, you will want to have
your car prepared for the long
trip with a clean cooling system,
fresh oil, lubrication and other
maintenance as needed. You
want to make sure that your
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trunk contains a good spare tire
and such tools as you might need
in an emergency., A flash light,
by the way, should not be kept
in the trunk but should be kept
in the glove compartment where
it will be immediately available
in case of an emergency.
Ornstein pointed out that the
average driver should try to
cover no more than 300 miles
during the average driving day.
" Unless one" is used to long
dreimstpaatfhOg^ Htov inrgo. v'' e r hel osnagiedr, " aai » t--
tances than this will unduly tire
a driver and slow down his reflexes
making him much more
susceptible to an accident, If
a touring vacation is planned in
which a great deal of driving
and moving about is expected, it
is probably a good idea for the
driver and anyone who will serve
as his alternate driver to have
a physical examination prior to
departure, if they haven't had
such an examination within the
past 12 monthes.
" Having made sure that both
the driver and car are in good
condition" Ornstein said, " the
safe driver will follow the sensible
rules for expressway and / V-high
speed driving including de- ^
fensive driving techniques such
as allowing ample room between
your car and. that ahead of you,
signalling in advance of changing
lanes, tapping the brake pedal
when slowing down, and of course,
using safety belts. Whatever the
highway signs may say, Ornstein
reminded drivers, top speed limits
are actually set by driving
conditions. The highway sign
may say top speed 65, but if
highway conditions dictate 35,
trying to do 65 miles an hour
will only get you to a hospital."
One last reminder which Ornstein
noted most vacationers
seem to overlook is allowing
sufficient time for the trip home.
" It is foolish," he concluded,
" to leave your vacation haunt all
rested and relaxed, only to exhaust
yourself and arrive home
all tense and tired after an over-long
drive under the pressure
of time." A little advance planning
and checking, at home and
on the highway, can insure a happy
vacation."
The Oyster Bay Town Department
of Recreation and Community
Activities will kick off its
weekly special events evening
programs at each community
vpark starting Wednesday, July
5, Councilman Ralph J. Marino
announced this week.
The series of after- dark activities
feature dramatic presentations,
dance exhibitions, Gil -
bert and Sullivan operas, Shakespearean
readings, choral groups
dancing and a brass quintet
concert.
On July 5, at the Syosset-
Woodbury Community Park, the
Circle Arts Theatre will present
" Never Too Late", the funny
comedy that set records on
Broadway several seasons ago.
Meanwhile at Bethpage Community
Park, Clem DeRosa's
Band will offer an evening of
ballroom dancing.
The Creative Repertory Theatre
will present Songs and Dances
Around the World at the Plain-view-
Old Bethpage Community
Park.
At Marjorie R. Post Massapequa
Community Park, Pat De
Rosa's Band will provide the
music for ballroom dancing.
All Wednesday night special
events run from 8 pan. to 10
p. m. In case of rain, the next
night, Thursday, will be used
for the event unless otherwise
indicated.
Recall Car Wash Request
Paul E. Kast, attorney, appeared
before the Town Board
and withdrew an application of
Peter and Minna Wiemeyer for
a zone change to permit operation
of an automatic car wash
on the south east corner of North
Broadway and North Cedar street
in North Massapequa. He said he
had notified the neighbors of the
proposed withdrawal but appeared
just in case some did not receive
his notice. Councilman An-gelo
D. Roncallo commended him
for making a personal appearance
when it was not legally required
to do so.
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Farmingdale OBSERVER Thursday, June 29, 1967
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Page 5
