The World According to Bob

Each week, as time permits, the Express transcribes Mayor Bob Restaino’s Youtube epistle for those who would rather read than watch.

“We continue to attend to grass cutting as we work through those locations that have been tagged by our Department of Public Works.

“We are looking to try and see if we can assist our clean team crew in getting some of those properties cut down. Our contractor had the final meeting for road paving and we expect that that'll commence soon so that we will get some additional roads repaved.”

Buses return

“I know I talk to you often and always about safety on the road, so let me just remind everyone that school will be starting soon. And school buses, which have been out and around obviously during the summer for one reason or another, their volume will be picking up. There will be more students to pick up. There will be more stops that will have to be made.

“And so there's even more of a reason for those using the road, whether it's motor vehicles or e-vehicles, scooters and bicycles and whatever, to be attentive.

“You know, all it takes is a minute of inattention or one opportunity to be a little less concerned about the rules of the road, to have some type of incident that stays with you forever.

“Whether or not it's an injury or worse, you can avoid it. It's really easy to avoid simply by being alert when you're on the road. So we're entering into the school season. Summer begins to wind down. So let's be careful out there. Let's make sure that we make the roads a safe place to be.

“There will be a lot more activity now that school is going to be beginning soon. So let's be smart. Let's make sure that, you know, we're operating. The only thing we can do is control ourselves, right?

“And so each one of us, if we are acting intelligently in the vehicle that we're operating, that's going to spread. So each one of us, I'm not asking anybody, we're not asking anybody to be mindful of how the other person operates. Be mindful of how you operate. If each one of us are doing that and obeying the rules of the road, traffic control devices, intersection crossings, if we're doing all of those things and now paying attention to school buses, road

“The roads will get safer just by operation of our action. And the only thing that I'm asking of everyone, just your own self. Just take care of your own self. Make sure that you are abiding by the rules. It doesn't make you less of a person, doesn't make you anything except smart. So let's try to be mindful of that as we fold into these last few days before school starts.

“And do our best to make sure that as we approach the school season that we are all better operators on the road. Again, it's our final, we're entering into the final weekend of August. A lot of the outdoor concerts will be coming to a close. I know it's been an enjoyable summer with them all across the city.”

Fall is here

So now, as we begin to work our way into fall and football season and all of those things, let's just be sure that we continue to be safe and careful. And if you're out and about this weekend, please be mindful that pedestrians, too, our visitors continue to be here. They're going to continue to be here for a little while longer. So let's make sure that in the downtown area, you're also careful at intersection crossings.

“And I will have more to report. Our city council comes back into session next month, so I'm sure there will be more interesting determinations made as we move forward with some of the projects that we have scheduled for the remainder of the year. So, again, please be careful.”