Small Steps Make a Big Difference
The following a transcript of Eric’s message delivered to government officials, Andover residents, and TV viewers at the Elm Square Town Forum.
I’m Eric Olson, and it has now been three months since my daughter Sidney was killed in Elm Square. I’m here tonight representing my wife, Mary Beth, and our amazing group of volunteers – Sidney’s Rainbows – who have made it their mission to make our neighborhoods safe for all.
That day in May, Sidney was a one step away from being home right now, painting a unicorn or playing with in the sandbox with her little brother. Inches away. Had the stop line been where it is now, she’d likely be here. Had the light been timed to delay the green a few seconds, like it is now, she’d be by my side. Had a tractor trailer not been navigating our downtown streets to deliver food that surely would have fit on something smaller, we’d have our daughter.
Small steps make a big difference.
That’s why we’re grateful for the work that has been done, including creating an exclusive pedestrian phase and eliminated dangerous rights on red – and the long list of recommendations beyond that. We’re also grateful for the recent funding from town and state budgets – and for the work being done on Complete Streets to gather feedback on opportunities town-wide. And, we’re excited to partner with the town as we roll out an expanded 25 MPH town-wide speed limit in the coming weeks.
My ask on this work is simple: Let’s not let perfection get in the way of progress. Let’s move fast on what’s sensible - and learn from it.
Every step is important.
But, let’s also not settle for fixing what’s broken. Let’s make Andover’s neighborhoods the model for the state – or even our country. Our lives and livelihoods depend on it.
What I’ve learned over the past few months is that the solutions exist – and they fall into three distinct categories:
1. Curbing speeds
2. Preventing large vehicles from mixing with pedestrians
3. And, eliminating the use of alcohol while driving
Together, we can do better on all three of these. I hope this can be a moment for us to challenge the way we’ve always done things – and look to examples of the safest neighborhoods in the world. That should be our standard.
It starts with a commitment to the Vision Zero standard, and I know there is an upcoming vote by the selectboard on this top. This standard is unwavering – no pedestrian deaths or serious injury.
One of our biggest opportunities is preventing large trucks from mixing with vulnerable people in our neighborhoods. Many towns have done this. The answer isn’t “no trucks.” Rather, it’s smaller trucks, particularly when more people are moving around the neighborhood.
Solving for large trucks, though, requires the support of local businesses and the community. Deliveries can be made on smaller trucks – or after hours. Let’s work together to eliminate this preventable danger from our neighborhoods.
We’re happy with the small steps we’ve made today. Small steps are important. Yet, they are small steps in a long journey. Let’s not just fix what’s broken. Together, we can create livable neighborhoods for everyone.
