GUEST EDITORIAL
By Dr. Lucretia Starnes
Where do I begin when discussing Poinciana and the Pleasant Hill roadways? Nightmarish, trapped, one-way-in and one-way- out and extremely dangerous raceways. Others who travel these roads daily could also provide more descriptive words — that would not be positive. I’ve driven in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Louisville and the District of Columbia, and have never been gripped with the fear and anxiety that I have each time I venture onto these roads. Recently I had to drive some place totally new, and I had a meltdown. My friend noticed how anxious I was, and he volunteered to drive me. The struggle is real, and the fear is gripping. Each time that I get behind the wheel, my heart races, hands get sweaty, and a sense of dread overcomes me. I even have fleeting thoughts of not returning home to my loved ones that I must quickly dismiss. I try to refocus and tell myself to get a grip. I do not want to allow fear to dictate and determine my quality of life and my ability to drive.
I reside in a community off Pleasant Hill Road, which I’ve coined “Unpleasant Hill” because of the aggressive drivers, and the imminent danger that you place you and your family in when you embark into traffic. I have literally waited 10-15 minutes to make a right out of the subdivision. Even after waiting, I still feel like I’m playing Frogger to make my way somewhat safely onto the road. Is this the German Autobahn, or the Daytona or Indianapolis speedways?
Have you ever counted the number of memorials of R.I.P. crosses, teddy bears, and flowers down the stretch of Poinciana roads? Unfortunately, these incidents are more common than not. I have witnessed cars being torn into two, trucks catching on fire, pedestrians being hit in crosswalks and bike lanes, and just recently, a hit and run of a young woman who was struck and killed while walking home.
These are the Poinciana roadways that we live and die on to travel in Osceola County. Several contributing factors include road rage, 2-4 lane roads, drivers speeding, and the overcongestion of traffic. So, how did we get here and what do we do to remedy the issue and concerns?
I am not an engineer, county planner or an expert in planning roads and infrastructure. But some of the plans should have included a more common-sense approach. Who were the city planners originally responsible for planning the infrastructure? Did they not consider the growth potential of the area? Did they reevaluate the growth pattern to update road plans and patterns?
I am a lay person and have the critical thinking skills to formulate a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) regarding the internal and external factors regarding the roadways and traffic issues. I’ve read about the 2006 elected leaders and officials who were charged to determine remedies and indicated that Orlando needed a Southern Beltway around Osceola County. I’ve heard about the ongoing plans regarding the Southport Connector project presented to CFX Board in 2018. I’ve spoken with individuals who were in favor and some who vehemently opposed the idea.
No matter what your opinions are on this topic, one thing that remains true: we all can agree that Poinciana’s roadways and traffic are a safety issue, concern and must be addressed to determine and implement solutions. I welcome any county, city, and state officials to provide feedback regarding the current plans and timelines for upcoming road projects that will address the safety and wellbeing of our communities.
Dr. Starnes is the CEO of Starnes Education and Consulting Firm and a Realtor with the Melissa Miller Group. She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Walden University and serves as an adjunct professor at Valencia College. She is a passionate advocate for people and a change agent for the community.