Dear Editor: Need for Crosswalk

Dear Editor,

It has recently come to my attention, or rather awareness, that there is a need for a posted crosswalk across from the Town Pump, near the northern end of Whitehall Street.

While at the Mint Bar the other night for Pool League, I bumped into an older trucker friend of mine from Canada who apprised me of this issue. He acknowledged that for younger (20s-40s) truckers who must fuel up at the diesel pumps on the east side of Whitehall Street, then run across a usually busy thoroughfare to pay their fuel bill, there is no big problem. However, for those who have hip, knee, or back issues stemming from their elevated age, that road is a definite issue and safety concern.

To some, the answer might be as simple as “be patient, look both ways, and then cross.” There is a lot of truth to this, but again age must be a consideration. Also, take into consideration the time constraints these service workers are usually under. Most truckers know that they have a given amount of time to move their loads from point A to point B and only a certain amount of hours per day they can drive before they must sleep. I don’t need to remind anyone these truckers are a real lifeline for many of us, especially those who cannot grow their own produce or furnish their own necessities.

Such an issue could easily lead to more needless laws/regulations which only serve to muddy the waters. However, simply putting a crosswalk in the area mentioned would not only serve those who serve us so tirelessly; it might contribute as well to the safety of others who find that they must cross one of the busiest roads in Whitehall.

Charles Haddon Shank

Whitehall, Montana