Kudos, Town of Woodside Town Council: assuming this article accurately represents the discussion at the council meeting, you've achieved a new low. Council member Tanner's ridiculous and entirely unsupportable claim that the use of crosswalks poses a greater danger to kids walking to school than jaywalking went entirely unchallenged. If the Council wishes to reject the advice of the Safe Routes to School advocates, fine: but don't invent convenient truths to justify irresponsible decisions.

On the other hand, one really shouldn't be surprised by the Council's refusal to act on this proposal. The Council routinely asks its volunteer expert groups (I.e., its Committees) to research issues and propose actions--then just as routinely ignores them. Apparently, it is every bit as comfortable doing the same with its paid staff (refer to this article for Council's dismissal of the Town Engineer's report). It would be really nice if the Council members would take the time to read and understand the Town's General Plan, then responsibly ACT in support of it.

What he meant is that removing crosswalks reduces pedestrian fatalities by encouraging them to drive instead.

Woodside has numerous constituencies with conflicting demands.

Parents in SUVs want to drop off their kids at school and others want kids to walk. The equestrian community wants trails far from bicycles and cars. Many want to preserve the relatively rural lifestyle. Bicyclists want trails and safety from cars. Pedestrians want safe walkways. The newly minted rich want what they want. People need to be able to drive through town easily to get to work and to their appointments. And those who live here always want peace and quiet.

Our City Council approved new crosswalks just not the one on Cedar. It is an impossible task for our City Council to please everyone.