Although pedestrian safety at crosswalks on Lincoln Avenue is a matter of public concern, there is another problem I would like to address. It pertains to Bank of America's driveway exit and the crosswalk at the end of that driveway.

When the light is red, responsible drivers exiting the parking lot stop behind the crosswalk to let pedestrians on Lincoln Avenue use the crosswalk when the "Walk" sign is on. But the driveway in that lot is long, and some drivers build up speed and fly right through the crosswalk, flipping a right turn out onto Lincoln Avenue, totally oblivious to the pedestrian who is about to step off the curb. The pedestrian walking north is placed in harm's way.

If that tall shrubbery that runs the length of the driveway up against the building next door wasn't there, a pedestrian standing on the curb could look to the left and see if a car is coming. You'd at least be able to protect yourself when it appears that a driver is going to speed through the crosswalk. I'm almost 6 feet tall and that shrubbery is taller than me. It creates a blind spot.

That crossing has been a hazard for years. Today, I did what I always do when I cross there. I leaned out as best I could to check out the driveway before crossing and jumped back really fast when a young man came speeding by me, through the crosswalk, pausing briefly at the red light and tearing out onto Lincoln Avenue. He didn't even know I was there. There was no excuse for him going through the crosswalk, but maybe if he had seen me instead of shrubbery he might have stopped.

After I crossed, I looked back to see a women holding her baby just step off the curb and come across. So many people see the "Walk" sign, look straight ahead and then go.

I went into the bank and spoke to the manager about my concerns. She said she would look into it and I hope she does. But the bank can't be held responsible for drivers who choose to drive recklessly. Yet I can see no reason for that excessively tall shrubbery to be placed there when there are so many low-growing decorative plants that could be used for landscape purposes.

I find it quite puzzling that such an obvious danger to pedestrians has not been corrected in the Bank of America parking lot when the solution is so simple. Remove the shrubbery or at least trim it down so people can see over the top of the driveway.

The bank must be aware that there is a problem there. Could it be that they've put it on the back burner because only a few have complained? I hope others will speak out.

Linda Julian

Jonathan Avenue

People should learn to
be more compassionate

Last Wednesday, I met a woman in front of the Safeway on Meridian and Hamilton avenues. She was having one of the worst days any of us could ever imagine. On her way home from the hospital, where she had been recovering from a heart attack, she ran out of gas. She was still in her hospital gown and wearing her ID bracelet. I didn't ask her why, but she had no money and no family here.

She had managed to contact one of the few people she knew and asked him to pick her up and take her home. He wanted her to pay him for gas and she had no money. She was sitting in front of Safeway, feeling scared and alone and embarrassed that she was in a hospital gown. I gave her $10 and she seemed very appreciative, but she really teared up when I offered to sit with her until her ride arrived. And she was thankful when I told her it didn't look like she was in a hospital gown.

But it broke my heart when she told me that when she mustered up the courage to ask a previous individual for help, the person threw some coins at her.

This woman needed a little help, a little compassion, and what she got from that person saddens me greatly. So, to the "coin tosser": I hope that you will rethink your actions. You missed out on the opportunity to show someone a little kindness and to meet a really wonderful person. I felt honored to spend even a few minutes with her, she was such a gentle soul. And she deserved to be treated with more compassion and respect than that.

Maureen Burkley

Minnesota Avenue