Randomly Tonia

I recently attended a community meeting focused on Kimball’s future, our strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities for Kimball and potential threats to our growth.

The meeting was well attended and many thoughts were shared. Our strengths include being a friendly community, full of small-town charm and hospitality. We are close to urban areas and airports with easy access to both, but traffic jams are a rarity.

Of the strengths listed, one was that Kimball is a pedestrian-friendly town and I would have to say that, for the most part, we are.

However, just this last week I was leaving the office around noon. As I pulled up to Highway 30, a Kimball County Commissioner was standing across the street at the crosswalk.

Eight cars drove past him, in both directions, before one finally stopped to allow him to cross. During this time, there was ample opportunity for me to turn right and continue on my way, as no one else was stopping to allow him into the crosswalk.

I did not turn, I waited. Finally, when one car stopped, another headed in the opposite direction ,did the same, and he was able to cross the highway safely.

I continued on my way, turning right at the stop light and headed north on Highway 71. As I approached the Second Street intersection, I noticed a local high school student waiting to cross. With no other traffic approaching, when I stopped she was able to cross the highway.

I know that sometimes we are in a hurry to get where we need to be, but those waiting to cross the street may have someplace to be as well.

I just want to take the opportunity to encourage drivers to stop and allow pedestrians to cross local streets safely, it is the friendly thing to do.