At a recent meeting of the traffic commission, several residents expressed concerns about the dangerous situation that exists at the middle school between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. when parents are picking up their children at afterschool sports and activities. Double-parked cars at the crosswalk on Cherry Valley Ave. block the view of people trying to cross as cars zoom by in their haste to get home after work. As I wait for my own child, I hope that some horrible tragedy doesn't occur. Everyone agrees there's a problem but to date no solution has been forthcoming.

The Village Officials and School Administration have been in contact. Police cars have been sent to observe the area - but not one officer has gotten out of his car to stop cars that whiz through the crosswalk as people - adults and children - wait to cross.

Parents have requested that a crossing guard be assigned to the area for the one extra hour per day. I believe the school district would also like to see a crossing guard. Commissioner Cipullo claims that the police department does not have the manpower available to accommodate the request and there is no room in the budget to hire someone.

I amazes me that this Village, with its new sidewalks, gazebos, fountains and benches can't come up with money for a crossing guard for one extra hour per day. It amazes me that in the near future, we will pay for renovations to the Village Hall (where our police department is housed), but we can't come up with a crossing guard (for one extra hour per day) to help relieve the chaos in that area. Finally, it amazes me that the Village can hire four new police officers and claim that there is a manpower shortage to protect the children of this community.

I had always believed that the job of the police was to protect the public safety and ensure law and order. If this is so, then our middle school children are being shortchanged.

Maureen Cornacchia