This story I bring to you has to do with helping a community with a dangerous traffic problem. There is a small resort community on County Line Rd., just west of Linden Drive named Topics, and it has been in business for many years. Now, a decade ago, County Line Rd. had a lot less traffic on it, and the residents of this “resort-styled community” could come and go with relative ease. Fast forward to this last year and the traffic at the front of the park has gotten quite dangerous. I have been given pictures of accident scenes from a resident and friend, Mrs. Wolfe. Both Hernando County and Pasco County (which begins its jurisdiction on the other side of County Line Rd.) have enjoyed seeing a big spurt of growth in this area. (The county coffers have enjoyed it, but not the residents living on it!! I recently heard of their (the Topics residents) troubles when some good friends from church, Len and Eileen Wolfe, brought to my attention the problems and dangers associated with entering and leaving the area.
There have been a few accidents that came from (mainly) residents attempting to turn into the park from either direction, and that is because there are no dedicated turn lanes to allow passing traffic to go around said turning vehicles. Mrs. Wolfe has joined with some other concerned residents and, with the help of Ms. Charlotte Gregory, has gotten the ball rolling to bring some positive change to the roads in question. I got involved because it is a worthy cause and as the saying goes, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” It is time to grease some wheels (namely, the “big wheels” in our local government)!
County Commissioner Brian Hawkins was made aware of the problems facing these residents, and he, in turn, spoke to one J. Scott Herring, P.E. (Public Works Director/ County Engineer). Mr. Herring informed Mr. Hawkins that the property in front of the “Topics” area was that park’s private property, and if they wanted to affect change, the park would have to shell out the bucks to make it happen.
Now, in the mix of messages and ideas to help the people of this park, it has been noted (by Commissioner Hawkins, through Mr. Herring) that there will soon be a light installed at the intersection of Linden Drive and County Line, just east of their park entrance, and if the park could affect a side road leading out of the park on its eastern periphery, they could possibly hook into a back service road, Pythia Place, that is behind a Dollar General store on the corner of Linden and County Line.
Some facts to add to this equation are these: 1) In order to attempt getting a light put in front of the park would be nearly impossible since the people in charge of the roads are already spending big bucks to get that light set just around the corner on Linden Drive. 2) In my opinion, it would be less costly for the management to invest funds to put in that northern side road link, compared to getting turn lanes added to the very busy County Line Rd. There is a little-known fact that in order for the Highway Safety Road Dept. to put in for a traffic light, there usually has to be at least one death associated with any said road in question (and we DO NOT want to wait for that “statistic” to be fulfilled)!
Now, I cannot affect any change to make people from up north stop moving to our “climate and politics friendly” area. I can, however, put my “hobby” and my words into action to help the people of this community and, in the long run, maybe even save a life (or prevent a devastating injury caused by a needless accident)! Lastly, I would like to thank Commissioner Hawkins and the concerned residents of the Topics Resort Park for deciding to get involved in this matter. As concerned (and patriotic) citizens, we should be thankful that we can exercise our rights to affect change (when and where it is needed). May God Bless you all, and have a great week!
Steve Goodwin is a recently retired Christian conservative veteran (of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division), who still feels that “duty to country” did not end when the military uniform got hung up. He and his wife Cecelia live on the edge of a beautifully wooded tract of land just south of the bypass, and are involved in not only church activities, but also attend school board meetings and local community action events as well.
