10A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL AUGUST 9, 2017
Roads
Continued from A1
South Lane Wheels re-evaluates
South Lane Wheels is having an identi-
ty
crisis. According to the organization, it's
cmay@cgsentinel.com
having a hard time getting the message out
that the service--which provides rides around
town for $1--is for more than just elderly or low-income residents.
It's for everyone.
According to Cottage Grove City Planner, Amanda Ferguson, as
a way to reach a broader audience and collect more data, South
Lane Wheels has created a survey and is asking residents to fi ll it
out to give the organization a better understand of its reputation in
the community as well as a clear direction for the future.
South Lane Wheels is using SurveyMonkey, an online survey
website, to conduct its survey which features questions such as: Do
you own a car? What is your age? What has prevented you from us-
ing South Lane Wheels? Currently South Lane Wheels only offers
weekday services. Would you benefi t from expanding to weekend
days? South Lane Wheels offers a Door to Door service where we
will pick you up from your home and drop you off at your destina-
tion in the Cottage Grove or Creswell areas. Knowing this, at what
time of day would you use this service? In addition to the Door to
Door service, we also offer a Route Around Town that will pick you
up at our designated stops and take you to the popular destinations
in Cottage Grove. We will also pick you up at your door for this
service if you call ahead. This service is offered from 10 am - 2
pm. Knowing this information, how many times would you use this
service? We currently offer a Metro Service that will pick you up
and take you to the Eugene/Springfi eld area. Currently the cost for
this service is $15 each way regardless of where you live, and $10
each way if you live in Creswell. Knowing this information, what
day(s) of the week would you use this service? Currently you can
only purchase individual tickets with us. Would you use our service
more if we did a discount for families? What methods would be
best for you to schedule your bus rides? We are actively trying to
By Caitlyn May
Cottage Grove residents have complained habitually
about the city's roads and bombarded an online report-
ing forum set up by the city to spot potholes.
"We had people reporting all of 6th St.," Meyers previ-
ously noted.
The city is currently working on three projects: S. 6th
St. from Hwy. 99 to Johnson, Mosbey Creek Rd. from
Thorton to Currin and the sidewalk construction on S.
4th near the new school.
In addition to the added funds, the state has set aside
$10 million for the Safe Routes to School fund which
can issue grants to municipalities. It's something Mey-
ers said he hopes the city can take advantage of for the
coming construction on the sidewalk upgrades.
"Instead of going to homeowners and saying 'You don't
have a sidewalk and this is how much it costs,' we can
apply for this money and it will pay up to 60 percent of
the cost of they project," he said.
The condition of the city's roads continues to be a hot
topic with the last city council meeting garnering con-
versation over the improvements to certain streets adja-
cent to the railroad tracks. However, the railroad owns
those roads and their repairs are subject to the railroad's
budget and schedule, not the city of Cottage Grove.
better your experience with us, but to do this we need new members
to join the South Lane Wheels Advisory Committee. Would you be
interested in joining our team?
The questions, according to Ferguson are a way to assess if a
re-branding of the organization should be underway.
According to the organization's website: South Lane Wheels is
not just for seniors. Anyone can ride! We are a public transporta-
tion system connecting people with where they want to go in South
Lane County including Cottage Grove, Creswell, Dorena, Culp
Creek, Saginaw, London, and Lorane. These rural communities are
very fortunate to have the options of a low cost deviated fi xed route,
local and metro Dial-A-Ride services, plus group rides within FTA
Charter Guidelines.Established in 1982 as a non-profi t 501(c)(3)
based in Cottage Grove, our mission is to provide safe, accessible
and economical service to those who need transportation to local
destinations and as far away as the Eugene/Springfi eld metro ar-
eas. For 33 years we have provided thousands of individuals rides
to doctor appointments, shopping, restaurants, residences, nutri-
tion sites, recreation, workplaces, school, and special events.Last
year South Lane Wheels provided approximately 17,300 one way
rides to destinations where folks need to go. Whenever possible we
grouped riders to better our environment as we drove over 137,000
miles. All of our ten vehicles are wheelchair accessible, which
means a lot to the 2,490 rides for folks using mobility devices.South
Lane Wheels is funded by federal, state and local grants, supported
by local and in-kind donations, and operated by a dedicated staff
and volunteers that believe in our programs. Whenever possible, we
partner with area agencies and businesses to maximize our impact.
The board of directors provides oversight and conducts a public
meeting once a month.
To take the survey, go to surveymonkey.com/r/southlanewheels.
Hot car cook-out at the library
TURNING 65 AND NEED HELP WITH
YOUR MEDICARE CHOICES?
Call Paul to
help simplify
the complicated.
541-517-7362
As temperatures soared last week, breaking long-held records, the Cottage Grove Library opted to test out the the-
ory that a hot car can really cook. In order to raise awareness about how hot cars can get inside on a hot day, the
library placed a pie, cookies and a pizza on the dashboard of a car as temperatures reached 150 degrees inside.
Paul Henrichs ~ Independent Agent
coverage4oregon@gmail.com
DRIVING SAFETY | HIGH-RISK DRIVERS
Educating Teen Drivers
Keeping Teens Safe
Acquiring a driver’s license is a huge accomplishment
in your teen’s life. While they will be ecstatic, parents
may become struck with worry over their new inde-
pendence. Teaching a new driver about safety on the
road can ease some of the stress.
Take advantage of the time you have before your teen
tests for his license. Going over study courses and
leading by example while they are ac-
companying you on the road are great
ways to instill safe driving habits.
Point out what other drivers are doing
irresponsibly. Parental guidance leaves
a lasting impression on a learning teen.
pecially when you consider that is about the amount
of time it would take to drive the length of a football
fi eld. Th e road has many obstacles and being distract-
ed by a phone can make them even more hazardous.
Obeying Speed Limits
Speed limits are enforced to keep drivers safe on the
road. Tell your teen to not feel pressured to keep up
with speeding traffi c. Speeding is a big factor in fatal-
teen accidents on American highways. Experts believe
this is due to inexperience and peer pressure.
Avoiding the Cell Phone
Explain to your child that even if speeding doesn’t re-
Th e Department of Motor Vehicles re- sult in an accident, there also is the possibility of get-
ports that studies have shown using a ting a costly speeding ticket. Th ey should be aware
cell phone while driving is equally as that you will not foot the bill and that their insurance
dangerous as driving drunk. Everyone premiums may skyrocket.
knows that drinking and driving is il-
legal, and most states also prohibit cell Driving Solo
phone usage when behind the wheel.
Give your teen some time to adjust to driving without
Make sure your child knows a phone is your supervision before you allow other passengers in
for emergencies and to be used when the vehicle.
safely parked.
A full cab of teenagers can be distracting to a sea-
An average text message causes a loss of soned veteran, let alone someone who is just taking
focus on the road for 4.6 seconds. A lot their fi rst steps on the highways.
can happen in under fi ve seconds, es-
ALLSTATE INSURANCE – ERIK BENSON
130 Gateway Blvd
Cottage Grove
541-942-2605
agents.allstate.com/erik-benson-cottage-grove-
or.html
BRAD’S COTTAGE GROVE CHEVROLET
2775 Row River Rd
Cottage Grove
541-942-4415
www.bradschevy.com
SOUTH LANE WHEELS
1450 Birch Ave
Cottage Grove
541-942-0456
www.southlanewheels.org
AUTO ART
225 Davidson Ave
Cottage Grove
541-942-8522
www.autoart.biz
COTTAGE GROVE POLICE DEPARTMENT
400 E. Main Street
Cottage Grove
541-942-9145
www.cottagegrove.org/police
STARFIRE LUMBER COMPANY
2795 Mosby Creek Rd
Cottage Grove
541-942-0168
www.starfi relumber.com
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL
116 N. 6th St.
Cottage Grove
541-942-3325
www.cgsentinel.com
LANE TRANSIT DISTRICT
ltd@ltd.org
541-687-5555
www.ltd.org
SOUTH LANE COUNTY FIRE & RESCUE
233 Harrison Ave
Cottage Grove
541-942-4493
www.southlanefi re.org