Pedestrian Progress & Poetry in Temecula

I think I shall never gawk

At something as solid as a sidewalk

Safely patter do my feet

On pathways made of concrete

On Rancho California, I remember whence

A pathway was blocked by an ugly fence

Less likely now will someone get hurt

Thanks to a pathway made of dirt

In my lonely battle advocating for complete sidewalk linkages in Temecula, I noticed a section along Rancho California Road where the landowner was allowed to put a chain-link fence immediately next to the curb, forcing people walking on that side of the road to walk in the bike lane of the busy road.

Repeatedly, I brought this problematic right-of-way public safety issue to city staff and the city council. Not one response did I get from our city cabal. Despite the deafening silence from city government, I was thrilled to notice that fence was quietly removed in the past week.

Ding-dong, the fence is gone, the ugly fence, the wretched fence, ding-dong that chain-link fence is gone!

(Updated 9/16/13) My call to city hall on Friday was returned on Monday. The City did request the landowner to tear down that fence because it was damaged in a traffic accident. The City requested the fence be moved back to provide a safer walking path. 

It appears city government silently responded to this constituent's concern for public safety and I commend city hall command and control for finally directing this action. No other local media will cover the story of the need for pedestrian safety in Temecula so I am also thankful to Patch for providing a space for people to provide news and information not provided by the local press (I refuse to call that remaining publication a “news” paper, as it only seems to take dictation from city hall).

The case of the missing fence is solved. Although Temecula authorities don't acknowledge or appreciate the many hours of research I have voluntarily dedicated to the issue of public safety in our community, it is good to know that they aren't deaf to these concerns.

A step has been taken in Temecula in the interest of pedestrian safety, but it is a journey that has miles to go.