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Page 2 - New Hamburg Independent - Wednesday, August 15, 1979 Mannheim residents don't want to see the light By Heather Northrup After Mannheim resident, and councilman, Martin Feeney, finished dealing with the bureaucracies and secured street lights for Mannheim, he received an unexpected, if not surprising response, from a lot of the residents here. A petition, started by Mrs. K. McDonald and Mrs. Susan Heimpel, was sent around the village and the majority of residents on Twp. Road 19 did not want street lights on their road! Mannheim's 'lucky chance" for street lights that might not turn up again for a while has split the quiet village into those who want the lights, and those who do not. Eight lights are definitely going up before winter on the main road through Mannheim though. Some residents in the village think that these lights would slow down the many cars that speed through the hamlet at all hours of the day and night. The approximate cost of the lights on both roads, and their installation, is between five and six thousand dollars. This cost would be reduced, however, if the residents on Twp. Road 19 decide against lights for their street. According to Councilman Feeney, taxes for the area residents will not rise. The township is paying for the street lights from this year's tax money in the general tax levy. Over 35,000 dollars has been allotted for the maintenance of the entire township's lights on this year's budget. (The council's overall total projected spending for the township is $4,754,406.) Despite the fact taxes for the area residents will not go up because of the lights, the majority of people on Twp. Road 19 still do not want them. The residents feel that the rural atmosphere of the village would be ruined by the street lights. According to Mrs. Susan Heimpel another reason for the disagreement is that not many people knew, or were consulted about the street lights. However, Mr. Feeney has since personally contacted all residents and explained the situation. Many residents along the side road (Twp. Road 19) think that the lights would encourage speeders instead of slow them down. Mrs. Heimpel said that the whole idea of lights slowing down the speeders is, "a lot of balcony." She thinks that it will encourage them.. The only place that the lights are wanted on Twp. Road 19 is on the corner of Bleams Road and Twp. Road 19; that way the street will be noticed at night. Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro first suggested installing all of the lights at once to avoid complaints from area residents. This would be easier, and cheaper.- At the moment this considerate thought from hydro has backfired since it appears the majority of residents on Twp. Road 19 do not want the street lights. According to Councilman Feeney, if the residents here don't want to see the light at night, they won't have to.