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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Beach bacteria thresholds may tighten ... Our View: Who politicized the UCC shootings? Not Obama ... View from 100,000 feet ... Beach bacteria thresholds may tighten ... Our View: Who politicized the UCC shootings? Not Obama ... View from 100,000 feet ... FROM THE COUNCIL From the Council: School starts soon — be careful out there Comment By Michael Zarosinski MailTribune.com By Michael Zarosinski Posted Aug. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Michael Zarosinski Posted Aug. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Contrary to many people, I like the month of August. I like the idea of change, and August is one of those transitional months between seasons where last minute getaways are taken, baseball gets more interesting, and football season is starting. It also means that the sweltering heat will soon pass, the taskmaster that is the lawn will go on hiatus, and the children who have spent their summers running free head back to school. School starts Sept. 8, and the streets of Medford will be filled with 13,500 new commuters who will utilize all options of transportation from cars to skateboards. While this may leave many homes in the city quieter during the day (and some parents much more relaxed), it will add excitement to the streets. I encourage everyone to be aware of this, plan for traffic, and stay sharp. Without any disparagement, the younger student population has a tendency to not be as aware of their surroundings as we would like, which means it is up to us as adults in the traveling public to keep an eye out for them. Youngsters will be found throughout our community making their way not only to school, but bus stops as well. As annoying as it is to be stuck behind the bus as it makes its rounds, breathe and resist the temptation to make any Andretti-esque moves to get around it. There is no place more affected by increased traffic as the few blocks in the vicinity of the school itself. Many of our schools were not designed around the passenger car, and from a distance, the stream of cars and people can look like a scene from the post-apocalyptic movie “The Road Warrior.” I have learned from experience that drop-off and pickup can be relatively efficient, but it does rely on everyone working together. Beyond simply being extra patient and courteous, be aware that our streets commonly include bike lanes and you need to share the road with cyclists. Be sure to take that extra look before making any lane changes into loading zones and, if parked, check again for our two-wheeled and pedestrian friends before opening the door. Parking rules in front of the school vary, so be sure to pay attention to the signs. It is possible to drop off in areas marked no parking (consult your attorney), but use caution and do not leave the car unattended as this is intended for “hug and go” only. If you need to bring the scale model of Mount Vesuvius into the classroom for science, I recommend using a legal parking space and taking the extra steps. However, new signs have been placed around Hoover and Hedrick that make any stopping illegal in some areas. Without going into all the details, any signs that say “No Stopping, Standing, or Parking” mean just that: Keep clear unless it is an emergency. The police department will be actively engaged at the start of the school year to help remind and educate people of the rules, but be warned that this is enforceable and citations will be issued within a few weeks. There is irony in my writing about this topic. I have done my fair share of school drop-off and pickup and have not always followed the suggestions made here. In fact, a reality show series has been pitched by some of my passengers on these daily voyages based on the premise that it would be hysterical to mount a GoPro camera on the dashboard and record my clever observations about other peoples’ driving and my musings on why everyone on the road is out to get me. That is the past, and this year, I can assure you and the rest of the traveling public that I will be doing things differently. The kids have plenty to worry about at school and getting there does not have to be one of them. Michael Zarosinski is a member of the Medford City Council. The views expressed in this piece are the individual councilor’s and do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of the City Council. By Michael Zarosinski MailTribune.com By Michael Zarosinski Posted Aug. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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