Glen Rock August 31, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 5 Dangerous driving discussed at council work session by John Koster Rude and sometimes dangerous driving was a subject of concern at last week’s Glen Rock Council work session as several council members described their personal experiences. Councilwoman Joan Orseck started the bipartisan assault on bad and dangerous driving when she suggested more foot patrols downtown to write a few tickets to drivers who disregard pedestrians in crosswalks. Orseck said she saw one woman in a crosswalk who had to stop walking twice because motorists did not stop. “People are not stopping for people in crosswalks,” Orseck said. “If people see police writing tickets, it may make an impression.” Council President Pam Biggs concurred that there is a problem. She said she had been in a crosswalk -- legally holding the right-of-way-- and had to stop to avoid being hit by a motorist who drove by as if she were not there. Councilman Mike O’Hagan agreed. He had been downtown recently and had seen two women make illegal left turns on Rock Road. “I said to one lady, ‘Did you see the sign?’ and she said ‘Yeah,’” O’Hagan said, gesturing to indicate that the woman had shrugged off the sign and his question. Mayor John van Keuren suggested that police foot patrols in the Rock Road shipping district be recommended, especially during lunch hour, which tends to be a time of frequent rude driving. Biggs added, however, that she had seen several pedestrians walk out from between parked cars, nowhere near a crosswalk, and expected to have the right-of-way even when oncoming motorists had no warning of their presence. She said this disregard of safety and traffic regulations is also poten- tially dangerous to road safety. In other business, the council introduced an ordinance to provide a two percent salary increase for the members of the Glen Rock Department of Public Works for 2011, 2012, and 2013, following a zero percent increase for 2010. The Glen Rock Jewish Center’s Film Series will begin Sunday, Sept. 18 at 4 p.m. with a screening of “To Die in Jerusalem.” The film is director Hilla Medalia’s Emmy-nominated, Peabody-award-winning story of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Ever since 17-year-old Israeli Rachel Levy was killed in Jerusalem by a Palestinian suicide bomber, her mother, Avigail, has found hardly a moment’s peace. Levy’s killer was Ayat al-Akhras, a 17-year-old Center launches film series schoolgirl from a Palestinian refugee camp several miles away. Through these two families’ personal losses, the documentary film explores the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, mutual pain despite cultural differences and diverse perceptions of death, and the ultimate hope for peace. The Glen Rock Jewish Center, located at 682 Harristown Road, requests a $5 per person contribution at the door. Call (201) 652-6624 for further information. Light refreshments will be served.