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Sunday's Internet Edition, 7:14 AM, November 23, 2008.
Highway 16 through RM is both 'blessing and curse'
Rancho Murieta Commentary
By Kathryn Brodrick
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Jackson Highway, also known as Highway 16, is the lifeline that divides and unites us and is once again the subject of conversation. This main thoroughfare that takes traffic to and from Sacramento and Highway 49 is a blessing and a curse.
The highway is our primary access to other places, should we feel the need to leave these blissful environs. It also brings a steady stream of customers to the Country Store, Plaza Foods and our array of restaurants and other businesses.
The dark side of this silver lining, however, is the traffic. Cars often travel far too fast on this two-lane country road and are often heedless of the turns and hills that are its main feature.
There was a time, long ago, when the fledgling Rancho Murieta community coexisted with the highway absent any signals. The community kicked in to help pay for the installation of the signal at the North Gate after several people were killed while crossing Jackson Highway or turning into Rancho Murieta. The signal at the South Gate was added later and provides traffic control in that area.
About 10 years ago, CalTrans did a minor rework of Highway 16, straightening some stretches and providing longer sightlines. They did a thorough study of the road during that overhaul, and their engineers calculated that 55 mph was a safe and prudent speed.
A number of Rancho Murieta residents would like to see that speed limit reduced to 40 or 45 mph between Lone Pine Drive and the RM South entrance. That seems as if it would be a good idea—if we could only get cars to actually slow to that speed.
Between those two points, cars often travel far in excess of the posted speed limit and drift onto the shoulders or into the oncoming lane. Intoxicated drivers are a particular hazard on this stretch of road. My favorite “improvement” is the sign just west of the equestrian center that encourages reports of drunk drivers.
Since it’s one of the very few east-west thoroughfares in the area, more and more vehicles are using Jackson Highway these days. Back-ups reminiscent of large freeways happen every morning behind the new stoplight at Excelsior, often for a mile or more. Evenings are nearly as bad, and “rush hour” is now a fact of our rural life. Of course, those hours, while unpleasant, aren’t the primary problem—it’s the rest of the day when cars feel free to fly at warp speed past driveways, up hills and around blind curves.
I’ve noticed that cars are remarkably responsive to the “Your Speed Is” signs that bracket Cosumnes River Elementary School. Drivers also respond to our portable speed sign. Perhaps it’s worth investigating something similar for our community while we await a response from CalTrans.
While we’re on the subject of traffic - maybe it’s also time to address the school bus pickup point inside the North Gate. Instead of pulling into the Gazebo or RMA parking lot, the bus stops at the curb on Murieta Parkway, stopping all traffic until the kids have all sauntered to the bus - not a speedy process. What’s up with that?
Perhaps we can all look forward to the day when all our community’s vehicle-related needs will be met, when through traffic will whiz on by and we’ll be a mere off-ramp, much like Colfax or Nyack. Would that solve our problems? Probably not.
We sort of like our country road, and it certainly sets the tone for visitors headed for Gold Country. It’s also a boon to our merchants at the Murieta Plaza and Country Store for whom business might suffer were they to be restricted to serving only Rancho Murieta and the occasional off-ramp visitor.
There may be some things with which we must simply learn to live.
Letters to the Editor for November 19, 2008
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Thank you to RMCSD community
I am writing this thank you note to all the RMCSD community who voted for me in the November 4th election. I am honored by your support and will do everything in my power to value your belief in me as your CSD representative.
I will work diligently to keep all residents informed about important issues as they come before the CSD board during my four years in office. I hope you in turn will take the time to keep me informed about your concerns and suggestions regarding CSD issues that affect you lives. After December 19, my email address will be bferraro@ranchomurietacsd.com.
Thank you again for the great privilege of representing you as the new CSD director elect.
Betty Ferraro
Rancho Murieta
Feeling loss of 'true gentleman' Wally Boeck
I had the pleasure of talking with and taking photos of Wally Boeck over my years as a staff reporter at the River Valley Times. He was so exuberant about flying and about the Young Eagles program at the Rancho Murieta Airport.
He was also one of many whose voices were heard at meetings facilitated by Sacramento County on the impact of development in the Rancho Murieta community.
In every instance, when I needed his input, Wally Boeck was quick to respond to my calls and provided information willingly and accurately.
Wally was always a true gentleman, and my heart goes out to his widow whom I also had the privilege of meeting. Rancho Murieta has lost a singular gentleman, and I feel his loss with his fellow pilots and the community.
I am sure the pilots will honor Wally at their first Airport Day next June; he surely deserved kudos with wings!
Marcia Oxford
Former RVT staff reporter
RM kids deserve safe Stonehouse Park
Is it just me - or do small groups of people spend 98% of their time talking about 2% of the kids in Rancho Murieta?
Vandalism is huge news - cars getting broken into make the front page, and theft and possible drug use will get people to mobilize into watch groups. But come up with a proactive plan to keep the kids busy in a positive way in RM, and this same small group gets negative.
Lighting up Stonehouse Park would give our kids and adults a safe place to practice, play and watch sports until 10 p.m. It keeps our kids active, keeps them healthy, helps them understand the concept of a team, teaches them to work hard and how to win and lose graciously. That can't be a bad thing can it?
People will make statements such as, "We need a new RMA building." Or they ask, "Will the facilities be maintained?" My personal favorite that I heard at the RMA board meeting was when someone said, "Kids from other areas come and play on our fields and don't pay for it."
The funds that would be used from the Parks reserve were never set aside to build a new RMA building - they're for PARKS! My daughter has been to several different soccer and softball fields for various tournaments and championships, and our facilities are vastly better than any we have seen in the Sacramento area.
When visiting teams come play here, kids and parents tell us how fortunate we are to have such great fields. Whether it's Melissa taking care of the snack shop, or Kevin filling in holes on the soccer field - we have great parents who always step up to help.
I know a lot of people were pleased to hear that our RMA president went to the park and was really amazed at how many people were actually using the park. I hope the rest of the board will also take that drive.
Stonehouse Park is the sporting hub of RM and is used far more than any other park. Improving it with lights will only bring more people out to the fields and the courts. As a community, we have a great opportunity to give kids, now and in the future, a first-class facility to play in day and night. I hope the RMA board sees this, as many of us do, as a proactive approach to giving our kids options in our small community.
Ron Smith
Rancho Murieta
Children's Receiving Home better off thanks to RM
Thank you to everyone who contributed items, gift cards or monetary donations to the Community Drive for the Children's Receiving Home of Sacramento. They appreciate your generous support, as do we.
This community always comes through for those in need. In fact, we were so encouraged by the response that we are planning to hold another drive next fall. Please keep that in mind throughout the year when you come across backpacks, duffle bags, toys, games, coats, etc. in your homes or on the clearance racks at discount stores. If you do not want to store them, just give us a call at 354-0935 (Sally Parker) or 354-2077 (Susan Snyder) for pickup.
Sally Parker and Susan Snyder
Rancho Murieta
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