« Switchboard Gremlins | Main | Paper Weights »

June 22, 2004

Local Woman Crusades for Cat Safety

Marsha Perkins of East Soliere Drive lost longtime friend and family pet, Mercury, to traffic Friday afternoon, in what has come to be known by local homeowners as Catgrinder Road. Mercury, a white and orange tabby, allegedly attempted to cross Soliere Drive around 4:30 pm Monday, June 21st and was struck in the Eastbound lane by a gray or brown late model El Dorado. "It's a bad time of day for cats," noted area resident Mark Finkel, "people are getting off work, they're in a hurry, they're on their cell phones figuring out grocery lists and whatnot--they're just not looking out for those little boogers."

The posted speed on Soliere changes from 35 to 40 mph at the site of the accident. Most residents and commuters note that the speed limit is rarely observed or enforced. Commuter Roy Benson of East Flagstaff notes, "Once you round the bend, that road is a straight shot for 2 miles. Anybody who ain't pouring on the gas is asking to get tailgated or else get some real angry looks I tell you what. Cats got to look out for themselves. I'm not dumping Burger King all over my floorboards because some [expletive] cat can't tell a 2 ton Ford is barrelling down on it."

By way of counterpoint, resident Carrie Olsen points out, "That bend in the road up there is really tricky. Those cats can't get a decent gauge on how fast cars are coming out of the turn. By the time they realize what's happening, it's too late. People really need to slow it down, just like Marsha's saying."

In an effort to get the word out, and try to bring some meaning to Mercury's untimely death, Marsha has been coordinating a local sign campaign to raise awareness about speeding on the dangerous thoroughfare. "People are just so self absorbed they have no idea the danger they present to our neighborhood. Mercury was the centerpiece of our family for years. He was proud and resiliant like most cats are, but he had a fun side. I remember the time he suddenly ran up Ed's leg at the dinner table. I've never seen Ed so alive. That's the kind of treasure we've lost." Choking back tears, Marsha continued, " And it's all because somebody wants to get to--Sizzler 20 seconds earlier--we all know how important that spot in line is. All I'm asking is that people slow down and take some time to get from point A to point B."

Next-door-neigbor Ron Holland isn't so sure, "I don't know what putting up big pink and orange signs is going to do. It isn't going to bring her cat back. Anyway, the speed where that cat got run over is 40. You telling me a cat's got a lot better chance if people are driving 40 instead of 60? I don't see it. Maybe the cat's got a 2% better chance of dodging at 40. I don't know. She's all emotional cause her cat got hit. Why aren't people putting up signs about saving pedestrians or people in those tiny import cars? Isn't that where speed really kills?"

Marsha's response was only, "Yes, people are more important than cats. But they're not the ones dying at that corner, are they?"

Services for Mercury will be held at 3 pm this Saturday at Marsha and Ed's flower bed.

Posted by Jeremy at June 22, 2004 5:59 PM