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Canton hears renumbering concerns
Published: February 9, 2010
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Review Photo/ERIC HRIN Brian Greenough, in the center, addresses Canton Borough Council about 911 address renumbering Monday. On the left is council president Ken Robertson and on the right is Mayor John Vineski.
CANTON - Borough council president Ken Robertson on Monday said concerns expressed about the 911 address renumbering issue in Canton Borough will be taken "under advisement."
At Monday's meeting, several people spoke on the matter during the public comment period, which was attended by about 25 visitors and lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes.
"We'll take this meeting under advisement; we do have other issues we have to get to this evening," Robertson told the crowd, which filled the borough council chambers.
Bradford County noted, on its Web site, that the purpose of the 911 readdressing is to provide addresses in a uniform format that allows the 911 directors, dispatchers and local government officials to communicate with the public during a 911 call and pinpoint the exact location of the call for the emergency personnel.
Although the residents objecting to the renumbering have not had an issue with the renumbering in the township, where they say it's needed due to the rural route system in place, they have opposed it in the borough. They feel that the city-style addressing that already existed in the borough is adequate and has worked well during the time 911 service has been available in Canton
Among the numerous people speaking was Brian Greenough, who read a typed, three-page prepared speech. He was with the committee to stop the renumbering in the borough.
"You have the legal authority to reverse the renumbering and to correct this problem. The people are speaking, and what we are saying is 'we do not want renumbering in Canton. We hope you are listening."
In stating his objections, he argued that to change "from a perfectly good system, which is distance-based, to a different numbering system would invite confusion, and lead to errors and delays. It could also invite the very lawsuits that some people are trying to scare us into believing would occur if our town didn't change addresses. I find it more likely to have a lawsuit because of renumbering, not less likely."
At the end of the meeting, Robertson told the audience, "I appreciate everyone's fervor; I appreciate everyone's passion. I pray to God that you will come forward when we have other issues. There are some bigger fish to fry than house numberings, and I really wish I could see that kind of response."
"We need a four-way stop sign right up the corner here because we get accidents. Someone is going to get killed. But PennDOT says we don't have enough accidents to warrant it. But for me, one is too many. I would like to see this kind of turnout for something like that."
Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; e-mail: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.
9 posted comments
Please don't tell me about how if it's not uniform thru out Bradford Co outside emergency responders will not be able to find the call. How do you think they been doing it for the last 20-30-40-50-etc years.