The Muncie City Council will vote Monday whether to take down 72 of the city's 81 "no turn on red" signs.
The action is a direct result of Team Tietz's, the former executive branch of Student Government Association, leadership efforts, Muncie Mayor Dan Canan said in a letter to former SGA President Ben Tietz.
"This is encouraging because it shows we really did make a difference and that things have changed because of our efforts," Tietz said. "It's an incredible feeling to know we've helped."
The removal of "no turn on red" signs was a platform item during Team Tietz's campaign more than a year ago. The team's members sent several proposals that addressed the issue to Canan during its term in office.
"It was an important issue, because it was something I had heard a lot of students complaining about," Tietz said. "There are more "no turn on red" signs in Muncie than in most other Indiana communities."
Last August, Kathy Spenos, former SGA secretary, drove around campus and the Muncie community and compiled a list of 17 intersections with unnecessary "no turn on red" signs, Tietz said.
Some of the intersections Tietz suggested had unnecessary signs were McKinley and Bethel avenues, McKinley and Riverside avenues and McKinley and University avenues.
The team's original proposal was rejected after the mayor sent a letter back with justifications for each "no turn on red" sign.
Among some of the reasons for the signs' placements were high numbers of pedestrians, high traffic flow and vision obstructions, Tietz said.
Michael Piercefield, former SGA vice president, said he researched the issue and made phone calls to state officials before revising the proposal and sending it back to the mayor.
"Some of the reasons for the signs didn't match the conditions of the intersections," Piercefield said.
After a second rejection letter, Tietz said, he thought the issue was over, but Canan brought the issue to the Indiana Department of Transportation early last month.
"I had no idea the mayor was going to discuss the issue with INDOT," Tietz said.
Canan told Tietz in a letter that he learned the state had changed its position and was trying to minimize the number of signs.
The removal of the signs will not have a great effect on campus safety, University Police Sergeant Rhonda Clark said.
"If the measure passes, the signs won't be removed from McKinley and Riverside or other campus intersections with high pedestrian traffic," Clark said.
No matter how many signs are eventually removed or the time frame in which it happens, Piercefield said any change would be a good change.
"It feels good knowing people listened to us and are making changes," Piercefield said. "Regardless of when the changes take place, the fact remains that they are."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
