Dear Community members. I want to express my gratitude for the overwhelming support we've received in the form of signatures and comments on our petition. The groundswell of engagement from our community has been nothing short of amazing, growing stronger with each passing day. I firmly believe that the time has come for us to harness the momentum of this wave and bring about lasting change within our community. To this end, I have emailed three key elected individuals in our city: Mike Witzansky, Our current city manager,  Zein Obagi, Jr. Our dedicated city councilman representing District Four, and Mayor Bill Brand. I have emailed them, sharing our petition for change, and conveying the urgency and importance of the matter at hand. I hope that the emails resonate with them enough to institute a response not to just me but to the overall community.

Edit: During the time I was writing this response I received an email from Zein Obagi! Here is his response:

"Thanks Ryan.  I fully agree with you.  That’s why in my first and second budget negotiations I got money to make Artesia and Rindge safer.  Unfortunately, zero of it has been deployed.   While the DUI tragedy that occurred Monday would not have been prevented by any step the City could take at that intersection, many of us including me are frustrated that no action has been taken at the intersection.  I’ve looped in the mayor.  And I’m passing on your email to our city manager and director of public works. 

My understanding is they have now started the process of getting permissions from the county which controls the intersection traffic lights, to be able to redesign the left turn pockets and put in a protected left turn arrow on Artesia Blvd.

I realize the road ahead is still long, but I will stay on the back of city staff until I see change.  I assure you that.

Zein"