By Frank Lewis
I believe we are living in the most lawless of times since the wild west. People have become desensitized to death through movies and video games and at times law enforcement officers are having to second guess themselves in split second situations. It is those moments that are the difference between life and death.
I said all that to say this. I am truly encouraged by the civility of motorists. Friday morning, for watever reason, several traffic lights in the downtown area of Portsmouth were not functioning. I saw something that truly amazed me. People were being cautious, courteous to the other driver, and choosing rather to yield than charge ahead.
In a day and age when road rage seems to reign supreme on roadways, motorists in Portsmouth, Ohio were practicing civility and that is encouraging.
Ryan Ottney and I were talking about the terrible traffic conditions of having only one lane open in New Boston because of the work being done there, and how important it is to let people into the flow of traffic. I have adopted an attitude. I am thankful that people are visiting the businesses and stores off U.S. 52 in New Boston, where the work has caused somewhat of a necessary hardship on business owners. When I see someone trying to get out of one of those places, I always stop and let them into the flow of traffic. If everyone would do that, it would minimize the problem.
I am thankful people are continuing to shop in my adopted village of New Boston and want to, on behalf of the officials there, thank you for your patience and for putting up with the traffic issues to continue to shop the businesses there.
It won’t be long before things will be back to normal and Steve Hamilton’s headaches can go away for a while and maybe he can even get some fishing in.
What this column is about is civility. I am proud of the motorists in our area who are understanding and practicing good judgment. Thank you for your caution and indulgence through trying situations. It is just one more reason I am proud to be from Scioto County. My friend Larry Greene and I were talking Thursday how beautiful this place is and the untapped resource that is our access to the Ohio River. Sometimes we don’t see the forest for the trees. The truth is – Americana is alive and well in a place called Scioto County.
Reach Frank Lewis at 740-353-3101, ext. 1928, or on Twitter @franklewis.
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