Sammy has became a much loved member of our family. Whenever we go out to play in the yard the boys race to get Sammy. I feel a bit safer with Sammy protecting us - standing on guard for us.
We live on a corner lot and have a pool in the back yard, so, we have built a nice little play area on the side yard. The kids spend hours playing there. It is relatively a quiet neighbourhood, but the through cars seem to ignore the 40KM an hour and speed past our house. There are no sidewalks and as all parents know, the road seems to draw kids close!
Then Sammy came to live with us. We place him on the edge of the road. He does one heck of a great job. Drivers seem to slow down - many even wave at the kids and a few even give the thumb up sign. When Sammy is on duty I can honestly say most of the traffic slows down and drives a bit more cautiously. Before Sammy, many drives would come to a rolling stop at the stop sign by my house, now most see Sammy and stop. I was constantly worried about the safety of my kids. Sammy now makes me feel a bit more safe, and he is a reminder for both the drivers and for our kids. They know that only Sammy can stand on the road and that they need to keep away. A double win!
One day Sammy took one for the family. He was standing guard on the edge of the street - taking up 1/3 of the width a parked car takes up and a driver hit him. The kids were devastated that Sammy got hit, and glad that he did not get hurt...my heart was pounding, that could have been one of the kids. That day I was even more happy than ever for Sammy.
Since we first welcomed Sammy into our home, at least 5 other families have adopted their own Sammys. Everyone has seen the good Sammy does in detouring speeding and reckless driving in our quiet neighbourhoods.
I love Sammy.
But apparently, Sammy is a wanted fugitive and he may end up in the slammer.
The city of Ottawa has a bylaw against placing such signs and one Ottawa family was recently handed a notice of violation. A neighbour complained about the sign and according to Bylaw 2003-520 3(a), which states: "No person shall place a sign on a highway that is on the roadway." The family could be fined.
Read this article that appeared in The National Post. It states that Ottawa is regarded as "the most over regulated, uptight city in Canada". It sites this by-law along with 4 other trite bylaws.
This is CRAZY! The neighbour who called must be crazy...or at least have no kids.
It is our duty to protect our children. Sammy Slowdown has proven to work and does not interfere with traffic flow...unless you count the fact that he slows traffic to a more acceptable speed that is more in line with the posted speed limits.
Please, leave your comment and help me generate world-wide support against this bylaw craziness. HELP SAVE SAMMY. HELP SAVE OUR KIDS.
If you would really like to take a stand, please visit Eye on Ottawa and leave a comment there too. This non-profit organization seeks opportunities to make an impact on municipal administration and political process in our fine city.
Help save Sammy Slowdown from the slammer - help keep our children safe. Comment now!
20 comments:
Is he out there all the time or only when the kids are playing? It seems to me that if he's not out there all day every day, he's not any more of a nuisance than their toys in the yard!
that's so stupid that they would rather have kids potentially get hurt then have a sign out there when they're playing.
SAVE SAMMY!
I wish I had one becasue we have the exact same traffic issues. It is ridiculous that the goverment would interfere with a parent's right to protect their children, especially since they are obviously NOT protecting them by enforcing the speed limit or building sidewalks...
Right ON Laura! Our friends mentioned in the article are on a narrow lane in one of the older neighbourhoods. There are no sidewalks, no front lawns, and nobody should be going over 20 km/h anyway!!!
Yet the city lets business and local developers get away with far worse...
That is a crazy bylaw! Someone in our neighborhood has one, but they just have it on their lawn right beside the road. Would that be an option?
I didn't know the little fellow had a name. I think it's a pretty cool idea.
Wow, that is crazy. I can't believe someone objects to that...I mean you can chose whether to slow down or not...I agree with DMD SAVE SAMMY!
We have Sammy and several of his bretheren on our street, too! Don't know if he helps slow down the drag-racers, though--think the town is gonna have to get speed bumps!
Why on earth would that not be allowed! It is a life saver! I would love to get my hands on a few of those! I think they are genius!
That is abso-effing-lutely ridiculous!!
Sammy is an awesome guy. He makes people more aware. Poeple who are solely concentrating on their own hurried lives and getting to where they need to go quickly are alerted to the bright yellow and pay attention.
Okay, now is one of the times I won't be saying "We need to move to Canada!" pppbbtthhh on stupid rules.
Wow. All I can say is WOW. What is next?
What a terrific idea, I am gonna show Sammy to some of my friends, maybe we can make some for here.
I say Sammy should stay, save sammy!
Actually, I could use a Sammy myself. It's appalling how fast people will drive on residential streets.
That is completely NUTS! SAVE SAMMY!!!!
I had a Sammy too-- LOVED it, because when he was out in our neighborhood where our kids were the ONLY ones for blocks, people slowed down (well, everyone but the teenagers because they're exempt from all laws). Then one day we had a yard sale. The kids had a lemonade stand so our Sammy was watching over them-- until someone stole him. Right out in front of our house as we were selling our junk. No Amber alerts apply to these guys.
One would think that safety of children would be people's first priority. But, then one must be thinking...
That is crazy??!!
Are you kidding!?! What kind of idiot would complain about that sort of sign? DMD has is right, SAVE SAMMY! My kids are both well into their teens, but I still yell at speeders (the limit is 15mph on my street - like anyone goes that slow). I would put up a Sammy in my yard.
BTW, I'm having another Great Pop'rs Giveaway, starting tomorrow. Aunt Julie really needs the help of all her Bloggy Pals--she's planning a rehearsal dinner for 60 people! Hope you drop by soon!
Come on over and get your awards!
Sammy Rocks!!
What IDIOT would not agree that this is useful? If it slows people down, then how can it be harmful? I don't understand humans sometimes.
That is crazy that they don't like Sammy. People have too much time on their hands to complain about these things. Get a hobby!
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