Dan Johnson, who lives at 1003 S. Irwin Ave., is the sole care-taker for his deaf and blind adult son named Ricky.[1]  Ricky is a fully-grown adult, and without being able to see or hear, requires a good deal of physical support to cross Eliza St, in order to be able to walk in the Astor Park neighborhood.  Ricky also suffers from debilitating arthritis, and he is only able to walk very slowly.

The crosswalk, Eliza and Irwin, does not have a four-way stop, and for several years Dan has been working with his alder, Bill Galvin, to get the city to put in a four-way stop. 

Unfortunately, Steve Grenier, Director of Public Works, asserts that people will actually drive more aggressively if a four-way stop is there.  He also believes it is not Public Works’ responsibility to ensure people with special needs can cross the street safely, and that it is Dan’s responsibility to work with law enforcement, without a four-way stop, to ensure his son can cross the street safely even if vehicles refuse to slow down.[2]

Recently, Ricky fell when Dan attempted to hurry him from the path of a speeding car.     

Our city deserves more for our residents.  Green Bay citizens don’t believe that we should just force the most vulnerable among us to fend for themselves, and Grenier’s approach is out of line with Green Bay values. 

There have also been a number of accidents at this intersection over the years—most recently in October 2023.  At least one resulted in bodily injury.   The safety of everyone who uses this intersection is at risk because of speeding and reckless driving, including young children and the elderly in the neighborhood.   Not putting up a stop sign at this intersection opens up the city to serious liability.   

As Dan’s neighbors, we stand with him and our special needs community, and we ask you, as members of the Green Bay Traffic, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Commission to stand with him, too, by voting to put in a four way stop sign at the corner of Irwin and Eliza. 

 
[1] “Ricky” is a pseudonym to protect the privacy of Dan’s son.  Dan is not a pseudonym.
[2] All of this occurred in a phone call with Astor Park resident Jon Shelton on Jul. 15, 2024.