Dear Editor,
I am writing regarding the family now filing suit against the
City of Gilroy over the tragic loss of their 5-year-old child.
Dear Editor,
I am writing regarding the family now filing suit against the City of Gilroy over the tragic loss of their 5-year-old child. I empathize with the family’s loss but I must ask: If the City of Gilroy was not able to change the traffic light at 10th and Church so that the left hand turn is a “protected left” prior to the loss of this child, how is suing the city going to help it to afford to change the light to avoid this tragic event from occurring again in the future?
If any suit is to be put forth or any money to be allotted, it should be mandated by a judge that the city specifically and immediately correct the hazard that intersection poses to all pedestrians to avoid this tragedy happening to another family in the future.
If this family is looking to be reimbursed for financial loss associated with this devastating event, the insurance company for the city (assuming the insurance carried by the person who caused the accident is not paying) should be willing to reimburse this family for any financial loss without a lawsuit being required.
In my humble opinion, what a lawsuit against the city will do is not only NOT correct the intersection at 10th and Church, but will very likely cause city taxes to be raised to make up for any pay out. This potentially means even less money being available to correct other areas in the city with traffic hazards. Other ramifications could potentially include increases to local taxpayers to compensate for the city’s financial loss if a judge were to award a large sum, increases which could negatively impact small family owned businesses causing loss of livelihood.
Ultimately, any way one looks at this situation it is a “lose-lose”. The family does not get their child back (God rest his soul), the city does not become a safer place for pedestrians and the cost is felt by everyone.
I hope if this suit does go to court that a judge directs any money involved in this case toward correcting the hazardous unprotected turn at 10th and Church, and toward correcting as many of the other traffic hazards (we have plenty) within the city of Gilroy.
I hope the family would perhaps in time grow to understand that spending city money now to avoid similar tragedies in the future is the best anyone can expect. I extend my most gracious sympathy to this family for their loss and hope they understand the need to fix the problem for ALL children, rather than leave the city broke so as to potentially create an unsafe road-scape for every citizen for years to come.
P.S.: Humble Suggestions to ALL Citizens
1. Slow Down
2. Yield to Pedestrians
3. Turn off of your cell phones
4. STOP your car completely when you’re supposed to (red lights, stop signs)
5. SLOW your car significantly when you’re supposed to (yellow lights, yield signs)
6. Volunteer to be a Crossing Guard
C.L. Taylor, Gilroy
