Feb 9, 2005 By Jenny Susa 3 min read

WEST BROWNSVILLE – Since the West Brownsville borough council voted to place stop signs at the intersection of Wilson Road with Pittsburgh Road last month, they have heard some complaints from the public who says the stop signs are likely to cause an accident, rather than prevent one. Kathy Koval, a resident of Monroe Avenue, approached the council Tuesday to ask why the two stop signs were necessary in that location.

“When there are icy conditions on that road, it would be easy for someone to hit,” said Koval. “It would be hard to stop so quickly in a place where you aren’t expecting a stop sign. I think you are just waiting for an accident to happen.”

Council members Patty Callis and Gary Bennett said they were not present at the time of the vote, but would have voted against putting up the signs if they had been there.

Councilman Larry Beck said the stop signs were needed to prevent drivers from speeding around that corner.

“If people would slow down, we wouldn’t need them,” said Beck. “People go 40 miles per hour around that bend and that is why we need the signs, to get people to slow down.”

Beck said that sliding at stop signs in icy conditions “can happen anywhere.”

“That could be said about all stop signs, not just that one,” said Beck.

Secretary Jack Sabo agreed that the stop signs were a necessary measure to get drivers to exercise caution.

“There were many times that I was nearly sideswiped at that intersection,” said Sabo. “Speaking as a private citizen, I think those signs were necessary to prevent a serious accident.”

Vice President Dan Kendall, who voted against the stop signs, said that he could not recall many accidents happening in that location in the 24 years he has served on council.

“There have been less than 10 accidents there,” said Kendall. “It may have even been less than five. I think the stop sign situation should be monitored for the next couple of months to see what goes on there.”

In other matters, Bennett announced that the fire department will be serving fish dinners on Ash Wednesday and every Friday throughout Lent, including Good Friday. He said they would serve the dinners from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.

each Friday, and invited the public to come and “have some good food.”

Bennett also said that the department is planning their cash bash for April 2, and tickets are now available for the event.