Gate thief broke law

The missing Dodge Drive gate has been located. Somehow we knew it would be, although the idea some vandal took it for scrap metal was a little more appealing.

While that theory was in play, it was one or two individuals looking to make a quick buck. While the idea of turning a profit is still in play, the current developments lead us to believe the perpetrators were simply intent on scoffing at the laws of Amherst.

When city council approved the subdivision agreements for Dodge Drive and North Pointe Estates, Dodge Drive and Westpointe Drive were shown as dead-end streets. Although those streets connected, they were divided by a gate for a reason.

The reason was safety. Safety forces could use the gate for occasional quicker access, but planners realized large numbers of vehicles using the road as a shortcut between Middle Ridge and Leavitt roads was an invitation for disaster.

Somehow residents of Westpointe Drive were told the road was going to be joined as an incentive to purchase homes there. A prospective home-buyer is not going to question the developer on something like that. After all, the developer deals with city officials every day; and Westpointe Drive is not marked with a "no outlet" or "dead-end street" sign as Dodge Drive is.

The signs are prepared and waiting in the street department garage for city council to make a decision. The decision was made when council approved the subdivision agreement.

Another act of council would be required to amend that agreement. Since no such amendment has yet been presented, the original decision on the street stands, and the signs should be erected.

Unfortunately any evidence that might have been on the gate was probably lost when the gate was ditched in a retention pond behind the Moosehead restaurant. We would like to see the scofflaws responsible brought to justice.