Centenier with a lack of discretion

Thursday 26th February 2009, 3:00PM GMT.

From Amanda Rabet.
I AGREE with Centenier Noel that there is a parking problem outside De La Salle College (JEP, 20 February).

I believe, however, that this is caused by a few inconsiderate drivers and could easily have been diffused by having a traffic warden patrolling at peak times. I disagree strongly with her judgmental comments about the parents who endeavour to get their children to and from school safely and on time each day.

De La Salle serves the whole Island. Many parents are not within walking distance, so take their children to school by car — usually before driving on to work. Many of the parents who are allegedly having a ‘mother’s meeting’ are actually having their first break since starting work in the morning or may have had to leave their car for a short while to collect a sibling from Beaulieu.

It appears perfectly acceptable for parents to leave their cars out-side the other schools I pass on my way to De La Salle. Perhaps the parish should review this situation to ensure that policies (and policing) are being applied consistently across the board.

I do not want to pick over each defamatory comment made by Centenier Noel but would ask that the Constable of St Saviour looks seriously at the way some of his honorary officers offer their opinions so freely while on official parish business.

Centenier Noel suggests that the De La Salle parents ‘get some exercise’. Might I suggest that she exercises a little more discretion — in airing her views while at work?
2 Old Farm Close,
Route du Mont Mado,
St John.

1
Common Sence

February 26, 2009 at 4:05 pm

I am afraid I agree it is unfair to suggest that everyone that has children at De La Salle are within walking or bike riding distances to the school.

But….

Last year I use to live just above De La Salle just up from the top entrance on Wellington Hill.
The entrance to the property I stayed at use to be surrounded by cars or parents waiting to pick up their children, most of which where in large 4×4 vehicles (Of which I have no bias about) except when they are blocking the view up an down the hill of a very busy road between two blind 90 degree corners outside a school.

Seriously!!!!!

It was impossible to see if any traffic was passing up or down the hill while pulling out of the drive and twice I nearly had the front of my car taken out by a passing car and one of those times I nearly hit a child getting in to a car on the road side of the vehicle by swerving out the way of incoming traffic.

I think it is amazing that the parents think this is appropriate behaviour to park illegally over road signs that are put there to protect there very children that are there to collect.

If this was a straight road with speeding cars constantly racing past it I am sure the parents that are causing the traffic violations would be screaming for the police to step in to protect their children from being run over by reckless drivers, but cannot see the danger they cause by parking on blind corners of a very busy road outside a school?

It is obvious that you don’t need to have brains to send your children to this private school all you need is to have money.

Think what you are doing while you park over the road signs on blind corners.
How would you feel if your child was run over while crossing the road there due to a car coming round the corner?
How would you feel if it was one of your child’s best friends that were killed!!!

Report abuse
2
Tony Gallichan

February 26, 2009 at 4:38 pm

Sorry, I have no sympathy for those who drive and break the law. I was at De La Salle between 79 and 84 – the traffic wasn’t all that bad and most kids either got a bus, walked to town, or in my case, cycled back up to Mont Felard, come rain or shine. The trouble is kids are molly coddled so much nowadays….let em walk or cycle…it’ll do em some good!

Report abuse
3
lula

February 27, 2009 at 10:34 am

totally agree – it’s not impossible for your child to get on a bus into town and then walk from town to school? I hated the school bus so i walked or got the bus to town and then walked from there. As for children under the age of 10 – maybe there should be a primary school car lane with a ticket system and you can only park there for 5 minutes if you have a ticket saying you’re child is under the age of 10 and needs to be supervised? It’s a relatively cheap system to install and will quiet everyone down. If you are over 10 you are capable of walking from liberation station or cycling from where you live and if you need to be picked up you can walk to a suitable place.

Report abuse
4
Kim

March 3, 2009 at 4:14 pm

When are parent going to realise that it is good for children to walk. In 72 I went to school in town while living a Gorey. if I missed the school bus i would walk it never did me any harm. What is wrong with these presious little darings why are they not able to walk or get on a bus like other children. Their school is able to do the grat Island walk every year and raise a lot of money which is very comendable so why can’t they walk home after svchool. The most they would have to do is walk to the bus sttion like the rest of the mear mortals.I think the parish are doing a wonderful job sorting this mess out and I hope to goodness that they stick to it.

Report abuse