None of the crossing guard locations in the city will be eliminated.
Faced with a lack of both crossing guards and pedestrian traffic, staff had recommended guards be removed from three locations: Brant and Laclie streets, Forest Avenue and the Highway 12 bypass, West Street at Orchard Park Public School, and Westmount Drive and George Street/Argyle Avenue.
Early in November, a decision on the matter was deferred to allow council members time to get more information.
During Monday’s meeting, council rejected the staff recommendation, with no discussion.
Coun. Ted Emond was the only one to vote in favour.
Realizing the challenges of trying to recruit crossing guards and station them at locations with little pedestrian traffic, Mayor Steve Clarke had one message for Nancy Wilding, the city’s health and safety officer responsible for the crossing guard program: “Good luck, Nancy.”
