Slow down the speed on Van Dyke

Dear Editor,

As a frequent visitor to Imlay City, it was quite interesting to read in the Tri-City Times that Imlay City Police Interim Chief Charles Rushton is coming on board to serve and protect the community.

In reading that Rushton has recently retired from serving a 27-year career with the City of Warren Mi. Police Dept., it’s good to know that he has extensive experience serving in a police department that deals daily with traffic accidents involving passenger and commercial vehicles on its busy streets and roads.

One would hope that Interim Police Chief Rushton will immediately focus on slowing down the high volume of speeding traffic on M-53/Van Dyke, both northbound and southbound, through Imlay City.

There have been recent, preventable fatalities, involving traffic accidents, most notably in front of the Kroger store.

And, I’ve spoken to numerous Imlay City residents who’ve told me they are always terribly worried when pulling out of the Kroger parking lot, and often go “out of their way” by turning northbound in an effort to avoid a traffic accident with M-53/Van Dyke speeders. I follow this driving pattern as well.

Speaking from personal experience as a former employee at the General Motors World Technical Center, one knows quite well that the City of Warren Police Dept. pays strict attention to moving traffic violations in an effort to attempt to prevent accidents and save lives.

One would hope the same traffic-enforcement attention will be focused in Imlay City.

With honor and respect, I’m wishing Imlay City Interim Police Chief Rushton all the best with his newly appointed position and professional standing in the community.

Slowing down traffic along M-53/ Van Dyke will be a good first step in serving and protecting the residents of Imlay City, as well as residents of the surrounding Lapeer County communities who often visit Imlay City.

— Kenneth Hreha
Dryden