Prioritizing Pedestrian Safety for Garwood

As I walk the town with my running mates Jen Blumenstock for Mayor, and Clarissa Nolde for Councilwoman, we have spoken to hundreds of residents about the different concerns that they have for our town. Especially when we meet new residents, one of the reasons they chose this town is because they love how walkable it is. Whether it is the ability for kids to walk to school, for commuters to walk to the train station, for families to take a stroll to to Unami or Hartman Park, or couples to walk to one of our amazing restaurants on a date night.

Prioritizing pedestrian safety for the last six years on Council has been an absolute focus for both Jen and I, and will continue to be so if our team of candidates is elected. Over the past years, we’ve invested heavily in the infrastructure necessary to deter hazardous driving. We have implemented several pedestrian crossing lights along Walnut and Center street that immediately alerts oncoming traffic of people crossing. In addition, we have funded flashing stop signs and rumble strips in key areas where we heard from residents that cars were consistently speeding down the roads that has helped to alleviate some of these concerns. While these measures will never be 100% foolproof to impede speeding, the data from our speed detectors proves that we have seen overall improvement in limiting the number of offenders. There is still more to be done, and we will continue to work with our Police Department to address enforcement on high-traffic areas and busy cut-through streets.

As the Vermella properties continue to become nearer to completion, we have budgeted for sidewalks on West street from Myrtle to Willow to improve the safety of pedestrians and allow them easier access to not only our current business district, but the new businesses that will be opening up at the Vermella property. We will also be working on bike lanes along major arteries that will improve the quality of life for our residents, but also of course, their safety.

If we are so fortunate to earn your vote, we look forward to seeking resident feedback and working with our town employees to build on the pedestrian safety measures already in place that will make Garwood the envy of Union County.

Marc Lazarow
Garwood Councilman
Candidate for Re-Electon to Garwood