Maitland City Talk

The special report that aired on May 22 on WESH Channel 2 (WESH 2), “Are Red-Light Offense Chances Better Before a Judge?” is based on an inaccurate premise: that defendants represented by lawyers get better treatment before a judge than those who are not. At least where the city of Maitland is concerned, this biased portrayal of the red-light camera infraction prosecution process is uninformed. WESH 2 was invited to attend various Maitland red-light camera hearings yet chose to attend only the one that was included in its report. As an example to show that defendants are treated equally, the city sent WESH 2 a transcript from a Feb. 17 evidentiary hearing in which a Maitland defendant, represented by counsel, was found guilty of the red-light violation. This proceeding and its outcome were not reported. WESH 2 would have realized the overall equality of defendant treatment in the courts had they attended more than one set of Maitland hearings.

The city believes in prosecuting each contested red-light camera case to implement the goals of the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Program. Those like Greg Fox of WESH 2, who wrote the special report and is skeptical of red-light camera tickets, often conclude the primary motivation behind the program is money. They would do well to ask Melissa Wandall her thoughts on the matter. Her husband, Mark, was just 30 years old when he was killed in an automobile accident less than one mile from his Bradenton home. He was the passenger in a car that was broad sided by a driver who ran a red light. He died less than a week after celebrating his first wedding anniversary and just 19 days before the birth of his daughter, Madison Grace.

Cities such as Maitland do gain limited revenue from the tickets. However, the majority of the revenue, 52 percent, goes to the state. The remaining 48 percent that goes to local government is misleading because the vendor who supplies the red-light cameras is paid out of those remaining funds. Any funds realized by local governments are minor in comparison to the gains in safety provided by a system that in its short life span has already helped ensure safer roads for us all.

Red-light cameras have revealed epidemic levels of red-light violators. In Maitland, there are six red-light cameras. All have been active for less than one year, with one-third active for less than six months. However, preliminary data reveals a total of 15,963 camera-captured violations have occurred through April. Prior to the city’s adoption of the program, the intersection of Keller Road and State Road 414 (Maitland Boulevard) was one of the most dangerous intersections in Maitland. Since the red-light camera went online, crashes at this intersection dropped by 40.74 percent. Furthermore, since Maitland adopted the program, the number of red-light runners has declined monthly from a high of 2,414 citations issued in October to 1,273 citations in March — a decrease of nearly 50 percent. Improvements to public safety are undeniable. The program works.

WESH 2’s inaccurate portrayal of red-light camera defendant injustice is just another way of trying to discredit the program. The station should be more concerned with the safety of our citizens. Lives have been saved. The streets are now much safer for our residents and visitors.

City Council meeting of Monday, June 11

The Maitland City Council met on June 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Below is a synopsis of that meeting. The next regular scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 25.

Special Presentations:

Mayor Schieferdecker presented a Certificate of Welcome to Francesco’s Ristorante & Pizzeria owner John E. Maciewicz and wished him a prosperous and rewarding future in the city.

Mayor Schieferdecker presented proclamations to Choral Director Matthew Swope and 11 members of Winter Park High School’s A Cappella Group, Take 7, in recognition of the group placing first in the International Championship of High School A Cappella Southeast Regionals Semifinals on Feb. 4.

Consent Agenda:

• Approved various Council and Advisory Board Minutes.

• Authorized Change Order Summary CH2012-6 to the City Hall contract with Wharton-Smith, adjusting the contract from $3,299,781.38 to $3,305,853.55.

Decision Items:

• Council tabled the appointment of an elected official to the Police and Fire Pension Trust Fund Board to a future meeting.

• Councilman Phil Bonus was appointed vice mayor.

• The Lynx Bus Shelter Design was approved as presented.

To listen to a recording of the meeting, please visit itsmymaitland.com