Neighborhood Council 7 has gone on the record in support of Senate Bill 88. If passed, this bill will determine what constitutes a school speed zone. On Jan. 13, the Senate Highways and Transportation committee voted 8-0 in favor of this bill. It is my understanding it will go to the House sometime in March.
Friends;
At our meeting last night, Neighborhood Council 7 voted to send the appended letter to Senator Tropila, in support of Senate Bill 88. The letter will be signed and sent by our council members this week.
Sincerely,
Aaron
--
January 13, 2009
The Honorable Mitch Tropila
Montana State Senate
PO Box 929
Great Falls, MT 59403
VIA EMAIL: tropila@mt.net
Dear Senator Tropila:
We write today to support Senate Bill 88, which is now being reviewed by the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee in Helena. This is a common-sense safety bill for our community and for our children. Thank you for sponsoring this legislation.
Neighborhood Council 7 is an elected body, representing approximately 7 thousand residents in the Lower North and South sides of Great Falls. There are two inner-city elementary schools within our council borders, Whittier and Longfellow Elementary. Students at both schools must cross a very busy 9th Street in order to attend school.
We remain concerned that no definition of a school zone in existing Montana Code. If passed, Senate Bill 88 would simply add a definition of school zone to the Montana Code. The crux of the bill is as follows:
“School zone” means an area near a school beginning at the school’s front door, encompassing the campus and school property, and including the streets directly adjacent to the school property and for as many blocks surrounding the school as determined by the local authority establishing a special speed limit under 61-8-310.
If implemented into law, there will be no gray area when local law enforcement agencies are handing out speeding tickets. At present, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if convicted of exceeding the speed limit near a school zone. If SB 88 is signed into law, “near” will be changed to “in”, the gray area disappears and our children’s safety is greatly improved.
Senate Bill 88 is a safety bill that is long overdue. We stand firmly in support of this legislation and will be thrilled to see it become a part of Montana law.
Sincerely,
Neighborhood Council 7
At our meeting last night, Neighborhood Council 7 voted to send the appended letter to Senator Tropila, in support of Senate Bill 88. The letter will be signed and sent by our council members this week.
Sincerely,
Aaron
--
January 13, 2009
The Honorable Mitch Tropila
Montana State Senate
PO Box 929
Great Falls, MT 59403
VIA EMAIL: tropila@mt.net
Dear Senator Tropila:
We write today to support Senate Bill 88, which is now being reviewed by the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee in Helena. This is a common-sense safety bill for our community and for our children. Thank you for sponsoring this legislation.
Neighborhood Council 7 is an elected body, representing approximately 7 thousand residents in the Lower North and South sides of Great Falls. There are two inner-city elementary schools within our council borders, Whittier and Longfellow Elementary. Students at both schools must cross a very busy 9th Street in order to attend school.
We remain concerned that no definition of a school zone in existing Montana Code. If passed, Senate Bill 88 would simply add a definition of school zone to the Montana Code. The crux of the bill is as follows:
“School zone” means an area near a school beginning at the school’s front door, encompassing the campus and school property, and including the streets directly adjacent to the school property and for as many blocks surrounding the school as determined by the local authority establishing a special speed limit under 61-8-310.
If implemented into law, there will be no gray area when local law enforcement agencies are handing out speeding tickets. At present, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if convicted of exceeding the speed limit near a school zone. If SB 88 is signed into law, “near” will be changed to “in”, the gray area disappears and our children’s safety is greatly improved.
Senate Bill 88 is a safety bill that is long overdue. We stand firmly in support of this legislation and will be thrilled to see it become a part of Montana law.
Sincerely,
Neighborhood Council 7
As a side note, past member of Neighborhood Council 4, George Littlefield, did the leg work to bring this bill to fruition.
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