ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT SPEED BUMPS One of the constant complaints throughout the Resort, is speeding. It affects us all. Is speeding really dangerous though? For each 10 MPH you gain in speed, your stopping dis- tance is doubled, and that's if you have great reaction time. It could be longer, if you've got a few more miles on your personal odometer (age). After dark, visibility can be a problem in our very dark Resort. An injury accident at 20 mph vs 10 mph is way more lethal. But mostly, isn't speeding throughout our Resort a quality of life issue? Yes. It affects our neighborly chats, affects us backing out of our lots, and in general our quality of life and re- laxation here at ORPS. On the busier roads, and actual- ly throughout the Resort, traffic can depress our proper- ty values. Does speeding save much time? No. If you drive 10 - 12 mph through the park, it will take you about 3 minutes for the whole trip. You could shave a minute and a half off that trip by speeding up to 20 mph. A whole minute and a half! People tend to re- member the cars of the repeat offenders. And that look they are giving you is not a warm hello. Cars traveling 20 mph seem really fast and dangerous when you are out walking the dog or biking around the resort. It ’ s even worse at night. How much traffic is there, anyway? There is a lot! We are able to pull data from our radar signs and the numbers are amazing! Just looking at the eastern leg of Golf Course Drive, 2,054 cars went by on a random Wednesday (24 hours). 2,054 in one day! And that's without a lot of our Canadian friends in the Re- sort. That's a lot of cars. How big a problem is speeding, really? Well, again, taking the eastern segment of Golf Course Drive, about 700 cars per day are traveling within the posted speed limit. Over 1,400 cars per day are speed- ing and over 300 of them are reaching speeds up to 28 mph. Where's the fire? And how many pedestrians are sharing that same street each day? Yes, driving at speeds below 15 mph can seem agonizingly slow. It's hard to keep some cars that slow. And after all, you are WASTING a whole minute and a half of your life.
Election season . . . A time - honored tradition . . . or terrifying time - period? This column, usually reserved for light - hearted reports, is a bit heavier this time but I ’ m compelled to comment and hope it generates thoughtful thinking and not a backlash. The concept of free speech is a sacred right to those in a free society, but what limitations should be put on “ rights ” vs. “ responsibility ”? Suffice to say that I get contacted by both sides of an issue requesting, if not demanding, that I correct the outlandish claim(s) of one side or the exaggerated response of another. I politely decline both ideas. Free speech . . . Political campaigns can be brutal and unless there is a violation of a handful of absolute legal prohibitions, I take a stand back. More specific than the US Constitution regarding the topic, is California Civil Code (§4515 ), which prohibits limitations on certain activities within a Community Association. What is most troubling is that friendships, even family relationships, are strained, if not destroyed over issues. While my sister and I couldn ’ t be on more different philosophies, both political and religious, and we used to get into some world - class rows over it, I realized as I got older that I learned something new when listening to her spout off with her absurd thoughts . . . and sometimes even reshaped my viewpoint. I ’ ve just never let on to her that I had! I ’ m not naïve to think that the ORPS family will always think alike, but can the rhetoric be turned down a bit? All of you bought into the Resort to enjoy oneself, both physically and mentally. With most only residing 3 - 6 months in the Resort, I would think that expression could/would be turned down. And I ’ m not just talking about pickleball . . . The management office has received numerous objections over the last year regarding freedom of expression, whether it be on signs, flags, or banners . . . and frustrations are taken out verbally on staff. My first thought, when speaking with a concerned resident, is “ why let it bother you ” and then quickly also wonder why the sign - placer, flag - flier or banner - displayer feels the need to proclaim their stance so broadly. I ’ ve often found such displays only incite, not convince the other side. The only side profiting is the manufacturer of the product! My biggest concern is the proliferation resulting in “ sign wars. ” It ’ s almost as “ If you place that, then I ’ m placing this ” . . . and whoever has the largest or the most wins? It doesn ’ t work that way. Most of the time, I have found that viewpoints have been galvanized, not changed, when something is proclaimed loudly and forcibly. Aren ’ t you all in this Oasis Paradise to escape the out- side realities which seem to be in our face all the time? Hold fast to your philosophies and convictions, I say, but do they have to be proclaimed in such a way to be in the face of all? Responsibility sometimes eclipses Rights. Just sayin ’ . . . but . . . HOW ABOUT THIS WEATHER! Ed Vitrano General Manager
BUT try to be a good neighbor. Just relax and pretend like you're in a parade in your honor. Wave and smile at every- body. Your neighbors will wave and smile back, and the Resort will be a happier a place to live. For a traffic study in your neighborhood, give one of our Safety and Security members a call.
Tobi Perkins Safety & Security Chair
ORACLE
3
MARCH 2021
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