Politics & Government

Convincing Kids Commended For Making Streets Safer

Mayor Driskell gave a letter of commendation to three Saline youngters.

Walking and biking around town is little safer thanks to the persuasive arguments of a few Saline kids.

Conor Waterman, Katie Birchmeier and James Kleimola were honored by Mayor Gretchen Driskell and Saline City Council with an official letter of commendation for their work advocating for safer routes of transportation for pedestrians and cyclists.

Waterman and Birchmeier were in attendance at Monday’s council meeting and received their letters as well as personal thanks from Mayor Driskell, who read the letter in the council chamber.

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“On behalf of Saline City Council and all the citizens of Saline, I commend and thank Katie Birchmeier and Conor Waterman for the tireless and diligent work you have done for the safety and betterment of the lives of all of our citizens,” Driskell said. “Congratulations to both of you for the recognition you have received and recognition you’ve brought to the community.”

Driskell said the honorees demonstrated that, no matter how young a person is, every voice can be heard.

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Waterman, Birchmeier and Kleimola, all of whom have disabilities, shared testimony about the problems they face moving around town with the Michigan Disabilities Caucus and the Michigan Senate Transportation Committee.

According to Conor Waterman’s father, John, and Katie Birchmeier’s mother, Laura, the testimony before Senate Transportation Committee was crucial to getting the Complete Streets legislation passed.

“The bill was stalled in the Senate and when the president of the subcommittee heard their testimony he said, ‘I’ve heard enough,’ and he moved the legislation through,” said the elder Waterman.

Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed the legislation Aug. 1, 2010, with Birchmeier, Waterman and Kleimola at her side. Complete Streets is a concept that applies to road project planning, where consideration is given to all of the legal users of roadway during the planning and design phases to determine if any relevant accommodations are necessary or appropriate within the project. Soon after the legislation was signed into law, Saline amended its own ordinance on sidewalks, streets and public improvements with Complete Streets concepts. Among other things, the amendment calls for Saline to plan for, design and construct all transportation improvement projects providing accommodation for cyclists, pedestrians and transit users of all ages and abilities. The city has been hard at work adding bike lanes on  some streets. The city and library are collaborating on a non-motorized path linking Maple Road and North Harris Street. The path could be used by walkers, runners, cyclists and more.

Birchmeier, Waterman and Aidan Yelsma addressed council Monday night, thanking the city for its support of Complete Streets initiatives. They reported that they’re making good use of the city’s work during Woodland Meadows and Heritage School’s Walk/Bike to School days.

“We hope we’ve made it safer for our community,” Birchmeier said.

Waterman said he enjoyed walking and biking to school because it was healthy and fun. He thanked the council for making the streets safer for everyone. He  said some areas of the city are fine for cyclists. But others, he said, are bumpy, narrow and dangerous.

“I crashed riding downtown. Please keep the streets safe so all children can ride,” he said. “I don’t want to get squished by a car.”

Students from Woodland Meadows and Heritage elementary schools are having another Walk/Bike to School day May 27. Some students walk or bike to school from home. Others take the bus and are dropped off at Saline Middle School, and then walk across the campus to school. The district also encouraged parents to drop off students at the middle school and have children walk the rest of the way.

Yelsma said he enjoyed the April outing.

“It was tiring because it was so early, but I was glad I did it. It gave me exercise and I talked to friends while I walked,” he told council. “I look forward to doing it again May 27.”


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