This dangerous Tri-Cities intersection nearly got me T-boned. Time to ban left turns | Opinion

Revisions needed for intersection

There is a very dangerous traffic situation on Columbia Center Boulevard where it intersects at Kennewick Avenue south of the HAPO building.

Current traffic design allows east-west cross traffic to maneuver across multiple lanes. The problem is that it’s impossible at times to see all moving vehicles in both directions. I was nearly T-boned recently by a southbound driver darting east across multiple lanes toward Kennewick Avenue. They couldn’t see me, and I couldn’t see them until the last second because of another vehicle blocking the view.

Another problem is the “nice” drivers who stop right-of-way traffic on Columbia Center Boulevard to allow cross traffic to maneuver across multiple lanes. This not only is dangerous, but it also blocks multiple lanes of drivers who do have the right-of-way.

A similar situation existed just west of Highway 395 at Clearwater Avenue. Common sense prevailed and a physical barrier was placed between the opposing traffic lanes, and you can now only turn right onto Clearwater from the Walgreen’s parking lot.

A similar solution needs to be implemented by the city for this increasingly busy area on Columbia Center Boulevard. With more housing being built in the area and increasing traffic, a solution needs to be found.

Lynn Niebuhr, Kennewick

Reject too-small arts center plan

Are you a Richland resident who is resigned to vote yes for the Richland Public Facilities District sales tax this February to build an 800-seat performing arts center, even though you know it’s not the facility that is really needed in the Tri-Cities? Please think again. The Arts Center Task Force has been the principal obstacle to getting a larger seating capacity facility built. They are happy with their proposed 800-seat facility that will meet the needs of the local arts community.

They are totally ignoring a bigger need in the community. They assert that the Coliseum, which is primarily an ice hockey rink, is suitable for the large-sized national touring shows. Do you agree with the TC Arts Center Task Forces’ assessment? If so, vote yes, if not, vote no. Why?

The community’s attention needs to be refocused to get a more suitable venue for the large-sized national touring shows. The most likely funding would be to use the voter-approved sales tax from both the Richland and Kennewick Public Facility Districts. A yes vote will negate this funding option for a larger facility.

Please, do your part and vote no on what the Arts Center Task Force wants.

Vic Epperly, Kennewick

Systemic failure resulted in abuse

I read the recent article, “’Perfect victims:’ Tri-Cities man joins 100s alleging WA allowed abuse of teen offenders,” and I’m glad that these kinds of issues are being brought to light. People tend to dismiss teen offenders because they’re kids and play things up for attention. But obviously that’s not the case.

That the guards and adults at the facility allowed abuse to happen right in front of them is especially disturbing, and there really should be background checks on all of the staff present, because it seemed to be an all-around issue there, not just one or two people causing issues.

I want to thank you for writing this article. It means a lot to kids who aren’t offenders as well knowing that there are still adults who care about their well-being, especially if those kids have had similar experiences.

These kinds of stories can also encourage youth to try their best not to end up in a place like this in general. It’s disturbing and uncomfortable to read about, but very important for educating young and easily influenced kids.

Karmela Pascua, Kennewick

‘206 thinking’ is creeping in here

I was amazed to read the article about how the city was “beaten up” by Adam Fyall’s group on removal of brush and weeds from the city park.

After seconds of research, I figured our he was from Seattle and grew up in Des Moines. Now he has moved here, and the city needs to check in with him when it removes weeds.

Seems like that thinking is creeping in more and more from the 206.

Thomas Olson, Richland