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Streetlights in eye of beholder
(by Barbara Christian - February 03, 2010)
WINDOW ON MAIN STREET, BY BARBARA CHRISTIAN
Streetlights in eye of beholder
Pet Peeve Number ... Oh, heck, there have been so many over the years, and since they are never ending, why start numbering them now? Just add streetlights to the list. Or, more to the point, lack of streetlights.
Streetlights have become quite the cause for controversy in some neighborhoods. I recall covering a meeting in Bentleyville a number of years ago when two gentlemen, well into their 60s, nearly came to blows over installing streetlights in their subdivision.
The first man said he wanted them because they would discourage burglars. The second man argued that burglars wouldn't be able to see their way around in the dark, and, therefore, having no streetlights was a deterrent.
I know exactly what the second man meant. Did you ever try finding an address at night on a dark street? Landmarks are totally useless.
"We live in the green house right next to the blue Cape Cod with the yellow mailbox," you are told. However, at night in the dark, there is no color. Everything is either black or gray.
And if the address happens to be in a lake community, add points to your degree of difficulty and bravery to your search.
You know there is a lake there someplace, because it said so on the sign you saw on your way in. Where it is exactly in the dark is the challenge. You may not find the address, but when you hear the splash, you know you have found the lake.
Here's my theory. Dark streets are a status symbol to folks who came out here under the delusion they were moving to "the country." But surely they didn't want the kind of country back before the Rural Electrification Act.
Streetlights also have fallen out of favor among those who say they would "rather see starlight than streetlights." But really now, with the cloud cover we get around here, how much twinkle-twinkle time is there?
Full disclosure is due. I have a bias toward streetlights, because I am a proud graduate of Charles F. Brush High School, which was named for the man who developed the arc light, which paved the way for the streetlight.
In fact, the first streetlight was right on Public Square in downtown Cleveland. We should be proud of that. Old Chuck Brush would likely be saddened at knowing his invention has fallen out of favor with some.
Indeed, streetlights today are far different from the ones he helped develop. Traffic regulations also have upped the ante on what amount of light is the right amount of light.
Engineers and lawyers have gotten involved too. The end result of all the meddling is less romantic glow and more white, bright illumination.
There is a streetlight in front of my house. It gives a sense of security. It also gives off a lot of light right into my bedroom window. Sure, I'd rather have light than curse the darkness, but this is a bit too much of a good thing.
I have asked the Illuminating Co. to put a shield on it to direct the light down and away from the windows. Not sure when they will get around to it. In the meantime, I've bought a roller shade.
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