Latest news with #LaurenMcLean
RNZ News
31 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Community removes third traffic chicane after uproar
A third lot of chicanes have been removed anonymously from a road in the sought-after suburb of Tamahere, near Hamilton. Photo: RNZ / Natalie Akoorie Another traffic calming chicane has been removed by vandals from a Tamahere road, near Hamilton, after residents complained it was an accident waiting to happen. Waikato District Council installed four chicanes to slow speed on Birchwood Lane, a once country road, but the backlash from residents was immediate and two were taken out anonymously just four days later. At a public meeting last week called by the council in response to the uproar, service delivery general manager Megan May admitted the reflector hipsticks that force traffic into one-way points along the road, were installed without community consultation based on six formal complaints and data of road speeds taken over one week three years ago. Many at the meeting called for the end of the four-month trial and asked the council to consider pedestrian crossings and increasing the road speed from 50 kilometres an hour to 60khm, as well as other measures. Birchwood Lane is home to 5000 square metre lifestyle blocks and bare paddocks with a cycle lane on one side, and connects Airport Rd to a Waikato Expressway exit into Hamilton, via Wiremu Tamihana and Alfred Main drives. The council data showed the average speed on the road was 60kmh and about 15 percent of drivers were speeding at more than 70kmh. Resident Lauren McLean previously told RNZ she could not let her children walk or bike to school unescorted because they had to cross Birchwood Lane to access the cycleway and there were too many drivers doing excessive speeds to do so safely. Two cars meet at the only remaining one-lane traffic calming measure on Birchwood Lane. Photo: RNZ / Natalie Akoorie On Friday a survey was posted to the Matangi/Tamahere Residents' page on Facebook asking people to give their thoughts on pedestrian crossings and other measures to make Birchwood Lane and surrounding roads safer, particularly for children. "Following a recent meeting with council regarding the installation of traffic calming measures on Birchwood Lane, it has become evident that a majority of residents are dissatisfied with both the process and the outcome," the survey said. "The measures were implemented without adequate consultation or transparent communication with the community. "The council has failed to provide sufficient justification for the measures beyond a general claim of reducing resident speeds." May said at the meeting Birchwood Lane had become an alternative route for rat-runners trying to get from Airport Rd - which links State Highway 3 with SH1 - into the city without using the Tamahere on-ramp to the expressway because of congestion at that roundabout. But Birchwood Lane resident Andrew Mowbray, who is one of four who set up the survey, pointed out the data from 2022 showed speeding on the road happened between 8am and 9am and 2pm and 3pm, during the times when Tamahere Model Country School began and ended, indicating residents were the culprits. The council's traffic calming device policy from June last year stated a road where the problem was caused by residents of the street might be considered less suitable for such a device. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) policy stated such devices should not impair visibility. The survey said the location of the trial "does not align with the stated goal of improving safety and instead introduces new risks". "Council's actions have misaligned with both NZTA guidelines and it's own policy, and the needs of the community," Mowbray said. "The unilateral decision-making over a public asset, especially where no clear threat to vulnerable road users exists, sets a concerning precedent." Mowbray said there had been 170 responses to the survey so far, details of which would be released to the council first. The traffic calming device on the brow of a hill on Birchwood Lane has been removed anonymously after residents complained it was a dangerous traffic hazard. Photo: Supplied In a letter sent on Monday to those who attended the meeting May confirmed a third chicane, which residents said made it difficult to see oncoming traffic during times of sun strike and fog because it was installed on the brow of a hill, was gone. "This device was planned to be removed, but has since been done by members of the community." She said the two other chicanes removed earlier would not be reinstated and only the chicane closest to Devine Rd, near the Tamahere school and shops, would remain. May said most at the meeting were strongly opposed to the chicanes despite agreeing something needed to be done. She said the council had since received more feedback supporting the trial from people who felt uncomfortable speaking up at the meeting. Traffic counters that record speed were to be installed this week, the same week residents expected an increase in traffic due to Fieldays taking place at nearby Mystery Creek. "These will capture data to inform how effective the chicane and wide centreline installations have been," she said. "This data, along with feedback during the trial, will be summarised in August and reported in September." May said police confirmed 50km was "the safe and appropriate limit" so it would not increase. An aerial view of Birchwood Lane in Tamahere shows the road is a feeder for Newell Rd and also traffic from Airport Rd into the Hamilton suburb of Hillcrest via Alfred Main Dr. Traffic using Alfred Main Dr cannot access the Waikato Expressway. Photo: RNZ/Googlemaps She said the council would now add more speed limit signs and paint 50kmh markings on the road itself. It would also consider widening the centreline at the north end of Birchwood Lane and planting trees. Potholes would be fixed, and the council would investigate the best option for a safe pedestrian crossing. "A simple zebra crossing isn't suitable for this kind of road as it's been proven to create more risk to children when used alone on a road like this. "A raised platform crossing with lighting and signage may be possible and would need to be fully funded by WDC as there are currently no funding subsidies available." Reopening Newell Rd, which joined Birchwood Lane at one end and was once a thoroughfare to the old State Highway 1 into Hillcrest, would not be part of the council's project but she said it would support conversations with the NZTA if they decided to open it. May said in her letter the council would work with the residents running the survey but noted while any information collected would be considered, "official collection of data will be via our website".
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Events this week to honor Boise Valley's Tribal history
Boise City Hall is located at 150 N. Capitol Blvd. (Otto Kissinger for Idaho Capital Sun) Events in Boise this week will celebrate Boise Valley's Tribal history as part of the 14th annual Return of the Boise Valley People. The annual celebration, in partnership with the Idaho National Guard, is meant to welcome home descendants of Boise Valley's original inhabitants. Boise Valley people's descendants are from several Native American tribes, including the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, the Shoshone-Paiute Tribe, the Burns Paiute Tribe, the Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. A welcoming ceremony is planned Thursday night at Boise City Hall, followed by a cultural event Friday morning at Eagle Rock Park, a spiritual gathering place where Tribal people return to pray for ancestors buried there. The welcoming ceremony When: 7 p.m. Thursday Where: Boise City Hall, at 150 N. Capitol Blvd. in Boise What's planned: Remarks from Tribal leaders, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and the Idaho National Guard's Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Tim Donnellan. The cultural event When: 10 a.m. Friday Where: Eagle Rock Park, at 2150 Old Penitentiary Road in Boise What's planned: The public can share in the culture of Boise Valley's original people. The event is planned to include informational booths, and the presentation of new signs about Boise Valley Tribal history that are slated to be posted in Boise. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Uncertain times' for LGBTQ+ community. What Boise's mayor said at Pride event
Mayor Lauren McLean told the crowd on Saturday at Boise's first LatinX Pride that these are 'uncertain times,' that make people feel 'topsy-turvy.' Her speech comes amid the Trump administration's nationwide rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In some cases, corporate sponsors have pulled out of large pride events. 'We see you, we welcome you, we love you, we need you here,' McLean told the audience in Cecil D. Andrus Park. 'We will make it through these tough times better for it, stronger for it and more Boise than Boise's ever been.' Although polls show the term LatinX is unpopular with the Latino community, organizers said they wanted people to feel included. The festival comes at a time of uncertainty in Idaho for the LGBTQ+ community, in part because of anti-LGBTQ+ bills from the state Legislature. Boise Pride recently canceled a Pride Season Kickoff event scheduled for June 6, according to a news release, because not enough people were going to come. Boise's Pride Festival will be held in September. McLean, in an interview with the Idaho Statesman, said the energy Saturday was celebratory. Boise Pride is feeling the 'support that is truly indicative of the community that Boise is,' she said. The Trump administration also recently listed Boise as a 'sanctuary' city for immigrants, even though Idaho banned sanctuary cities two years ago. In her address, McLean said she wanted the Boise Police Department to strengthen its relationship with the immigrant community. On Saturday, music with Spanish lyrics blared out between speakers. Variants of the rainbow Pride flag lined a stone path. A line formed at a tent labeled 'Mexican Food' in red, white and green letters. The majority of LGBTQ+ adults have attended Pride events, according to recent polling from the Pew Research Center. And several attendees told the Statesman that LatinX Pride was not their first function. Michael Zieske, who identifies as Latin and gay, said he came to support the event. 'Latin is just more of the music, it's the way the energy goes off of versus just a regular Pride,' Zieske. 'They add the culture.' And Miguel Barrera, sitting with his partner in the shade, said cultural events are needed in Idaho. 'The Latin community is the backbone of Idaho,' Barrera said. 'It is Idaho.' Trump administration just listed Boise as an immigrant 'sanctuary.' But is it? A new Pride event is coming to Boise. Here's when, where and why
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Living in time of ‘division,' Boise mayor says city can ‘care for each other'
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said Thursday in her State of the City speech downtown that residents live in a time of 'division' and uncertainty. McLean said mayors are unsure how to work with fewer resources, business leaders are concerned about the economy, and everyday people are worried about national politics and their monthly bills. 'Despite that uncertainty, I also hear a belief that we will get through it,' said McLean, who sought to reassure the crowd that the city was in a strong economic position. 'Though we have to tighten our belts and look for ways to stretch a dollar this year, I'm proud of the investments that we've made in previous years that are now coming to life.' During the speech, McLean mentioned uncertainty in federal funding sources while discussing affordability in Boise. McLean also alluded to federal and state decisions that 'upend' the city's ability to serve its residents. A spokesperson for McLean, Emilee Ayers, did not respond to questions asking which federal and state efforts were impacting what services. Just this year, the Idaho Legislature passed at least two bills affecting the city of Boise directly. One banned public camping in the state's largest cities, including people who sleep in their cars, according to previous Statesman reporting. After Gov. Brad Little signed the homelessness bill into law, McLean criticized it for removing local police officers' discretion and flexibility. She has sought to distance herself from the legislation, calling it the 'Galloway bill,' after its sponsor, Sen. Codi Galloway, R-Boise. The Republican-dominated Legislature also targeted Pride flags as part of a new law preventing most flags from flying on government property. McLean kept the Pride flag up, prompting a warning letter from Attorney General Raul Labrador. The law has no enforcement mechanism. In response, McLean and the City Council made the Pride flag and an organ donor flag official flags of the city, which are allowed under the law. Before her speech, large screens played a video that included images of the Pride flag flying under the Boise flag at City Hall. The crowd applauded while watching the flags flap in the wind. 'In times like these, when there are so many who seek to divide, we have a choice,' McLean said. 'Succumb to division or do what we have always done: Come together to care for each other and for the city.'
Newsweek
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Cities Make New Official Juneteenth, Pride Flags to Thwart GOP
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Salt Lake City and Boise, Democratic-controlled cities in Utah and Idaho, have adopted new flags after Republican-controlled legislatures at the state level banned the rainbow pride flag and other unofficial flags from government property. Newsweek has contacted the mayor's office for both cities for comment via email outside regular working hours. Why It Matters In recent years, Republican lawmakers have moved to restrict the display of unofficial flags, in particular LGBTQ+ pride flags. Upon President Donald Trump's return to office in January, the State Department implemented a "One Flag Policy," which mandated that only the American flag and two military flags could be displayed at U.S. Embassies and government buildings. The initiative and its response reflect a growing cultural divide in the U.S. A pride flag hanging from the California Tower during the San Diego pride parade on July 20, 2024. A pride flag hanging from the California Tower during the San Diego pride parade on July 20, To Know Earlier this year, Utah and Idaho passed legislation that banned non-sanctioned flags from government buildings. In response, Salt Lake City has adopted new flag designs, while Boise has designated the traditional pride flag as official. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall proposed adopting three new flags, which her office described in a news release as "celebrating human rights," and the city council unanimously approved the move. The flags, which retain the sego lily featured in the current state flag, are the Sego Celebration Flag, representing Juneteenth; the Sego Belonging Flag, representing LGBTQIA people; and the Sego Visibility Flag, representing transgender people. Utah law stipulates that any state or government building can be fined $500 a day for flying any flags that are not the U.S. flag, the state flag, a city or county flag, military flags, Olympic and Paralympic flags, official college flags or tribal flags. Boise Mayor Lauren McLean adopted the pride flag as an official city flag. Idaho's flag ban took effect on April 3, barring government officials from displaying any flags other than those on an approved short list, which includes the U.S. flag, flags of military branches and official flags of government entities. A separate ban containing some exemptions for school buildings is set to come into effect on July 1. What People Are Saying Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said in a news release on May 6: "Our City flags are powerful symbols representing Salt Lake City's values. I want all Salt Lakers to look up at these flags and be reminded that we value diversity, equity and inclusion—leaving no doubt that we are united as a city and people, moving forward together." Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said in a news release on May 2: "The City of Boise will continue to fly the flags on City Hall Plaza that represent our community and speak to our values of caring for people and welcoming all. This resolution formalizes which flags are considered the official flags of our city." What Happens Next Legislative moves against certain flags may continue as other states consider bills that would prohibit the LGBTQ+ pride flag from being displayed in schools.
