Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

HARVEYS LAKE — Five weeks after a fatal hit-and-run crash on Lakeside drive, borough residents have formed a committee hoping to make the roadway safer.

Following the crash which resulted in the death of Paula Jones, Harveys Lake resident Greg Fellerman saw opportunity to address an issue which has been a concern of his for some time.

As chairman of the newly formed Harveys Lake Safety Committee, he wants Lakeside Drive, a roadway overseen by PennDOT, made safer for residents, athletes and motorists.

Fellerman, himself a biker and a runner, believes area residents should be able to take advantage of many benefits of the lake, confident that all possible steps have been taken to ensure their safety.

“When I moved here about a year ago, I realized both the beauty of the lake and the dangers of the roadway,” said Fellerman. “Personally, I have concern for both children going back and forth to lakeside boathouses and for older people who may not be able to move so quickly.”

Fellerman said the committee, averaging about 30 attendees per meeting, will be going before council next Tuesday simply to exchange ideas. He lauded Mayor Clarence Hogan and council members Bill Hilburt and Michelle Boice for their attendance at both the safety committees inaugural meetings, reflecting a spirit of cooperation and community.

“There’s no downside to making the lake safer,” he said. “This is an issue of community safety and quality of life.”

In the short term, he believes that reduction of the speed limit and placement of additional stop signs would make he lake considerable safer at little cost to the state.

“Data shows when people are traveling at a slower rate of speed, there are fewer accidents,” he said.

He said currently, with a 35 mph speed limit, borough police are not authorized to stop a motorist for speeding until he is traveling at 46 mph.

“This is a residential development, not a thoroughfare,” said Fellerman. “Forty-six miles an hour is simply too fast.”

In the long term, he said more sweeping changes such as widening the road, creating pedestrian walkways or adding a bicycle lane.

He also emphasized the importance of education and road maintenance.

“Safety is cost effective,” said Fellerman. “When the lake is safer, people are more likely to frequent local businesses and, in the long term, more likely to buy homes.”

Reflecting on Jones’ death, Fellerman said, “there is no greater tragedy then a repeat drunk driver, clearly intoxicated hitting this young woman. If he’s found guilty, the Court should send a strong message in sentencing.” He was referring to Harveys Lake resident Michael Scavone, who has been charged with homicide by motor vehicle and other related charges. He is being held at Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $400,000 bail pending further court action.

Fellerman said irresponsible bar owners should also be held accountable.

He will be heading to the borough’s council meeting next Tuesday to start a dialogue regarding increased safety on Lakeside Drive.

He also wants to enlist support of state officials, including the governor’s office.

“Constituents of representatives Karen Boback and Aaron Kaufer, and senators Lisa Baker and John Yudichak, all spend time at the lake,” he said. “Its a state road, a gem of the northeast, most area residents have an interest in it.”

Fellerman
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_fellerman1.jpg.optimal.jpgFellerman

Jones
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_10389651_879513888754180_8018627511668347057_n1.jpg.optimal.jpgJones

By Geri Gibbons

[email protected]

Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons