Page 9 - 574220 SunCity Flipbook

CA NEWS
Let’s Communicate!
Jim Romine, Executive Director
Crosswalks and canines
Two topics that routinely surface
in my office are crosswalk safety
(and requests for the City of
Georgetown to add more of them) and
canine protocol. This article will address
both of these issues in hopes of creating
awareness and information.
We are routinely asked about the laws
pertaining to the use of crosswalks
in our community and how motorists
should yield to pedestrians. Here is the
official language provided by the city
concerning crosswalks and pedestrian
right of ways:
“CROSSWALK” MEANS:
A. The portion of a roadway, including
an intersection, designated as a
pedestrian crossing by surface
markings, including lines; or
B. The portion of a roadway at an
intersection that is within the
connections of the lateral lines of
the sidewalks on opposite sides of the
highway measured from the curbs
or, in the absence of curbs, from the
edges of the traversable roadway.
Sec. 552.003. PEDESTRIAN RIGHT-
OF-WAY AT CROSSWALK.
(a) The operator of a vehicle shall yield
the right-of-way to a pedestrian
crossing a roadway in a crosswalk if:
(1) No traffic control signal is in place the street or on the hiking trails. There
or in operation; and
(2) the pedestrian is:
(A) on the half of the roadway in
which the vehicle is traveling;
or
(B) approaching so closely from the
opposite half of the roadway as
to be in danger.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
pedestrian may not suddenly leave
a curb or other place of safety and
proceed into a crosswalk in the path of
a vehicle so close that it is impossible
for the vehicle operator to yield.
(c) The operator of a vehicle approaching
from the rear of a vehicle that is
stopped at a crosswalk to permit a
pedestrian to cross a roadway may
not pass the stopped vehicle.
CANINE COURTESY
As most dog lovers know, nothing beats
taking Fido or Fluffy for a walk. The
exercise is beneficial to both you and
your pet. Does Fido go nuts when you
grab that leash? Of course he does! Good
pet owners make sure their dogs get
adequate exercise every day.
Being a good pet owner goes hand in
hand with being a good neighbor. No one
wants to live next door to a dog who is a
nuisance to the neighborhood. Here are
a few tips and pointers on appropriate
doggie decorum:
LEASH LAWS
The City of Georgetown and Sun City
Texas have leash laws. This is for your
protection, your neighbors’ protection
and your pet’s safety. All pets must be on
a leash when outside your home, whether
you are walking down the sidewalk, in
are two places where the dog may be off
his leash – inside your home or inside
your fenced back yard.
WATCH OUT FOR THOSE
MISDEMEANORS!
If your dog eliminates in someone
else’s yard or on any public property,
you may be found guilty of a Class “C”
misdemeanor if you do not clean up after
your pet. We’ve all had the unpleasant
EMC Weather
Town Hall: Tornadoes,
floods, wildfires
Thursday, April 21, 10 a.m., SCB
Paul Yura, warning coordination
meteorologist with the National
Weather Service Austin–San An-
tonio, Texas, will be our keynote
speaker.
Information will also be shared
about emergency preparedness in
our area and the function of the
Emergency Evacuation Plan and
centers in our own Sun City com-
munity. Clay Shell, Assistant Fire
Chief for the Georgetown Fire De-
partment, will discuss the Emer-
gency Preparedness Plan for the
City of Georgetown and their cor-
relation with the Sun City Emer-
gency Evacuation Plan to provide
safety for our residents and guests
in the event of a natural (or other
community) disaster.
Come join us to be aware, prepared
and safe! Coffee and donuts will
be served and door prizes will be
presented.
experience of accidently stepping in…
well, you get the idea. Did you know it
is also a Class “C” misdemeanor to fail
to control odors due to the “activity” of
your dog?
Finally, a word about excessive barking.
You guessed it – it is also a Class “C”
misdemeanor to fail to control any loud,
continual noise (barking) if that noise
disrupts the peace and quiet of the
neighborhood.
SHARE THE LOVE
Our pets offer us unconditional love.
Why not “share the love” by being a good
neighbor and a responsible pet owner as
well? Your dog and your neighbors will
love you for it!
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