Alternative to roadside memorials considered
GILROY
The sad irony of roadside memorials for victims of car-related accidents is that they sometimes endanger the mourners.
Gilroy may follow in the path of the city of Santa Clarita, which dealt with the roadside problem last year by building an expansive $100,000 memorial for 67 local youth killed in car accidents. Rows of short concrete posts emanate from the oval cobblestone commemoration in all directions. A reddish plaque cemented on the top of the well-liked structure declares, “Know more” and then encourages onlookers to avoid intoxication and driving distractions.
Gilroy Community Services Director Susan Andrade-Wax – who used to be Santa Clarita’s recreational superintendent – said the memorial for victims 24 years old and younger is a “positive way of dealing with a very difficult situation,” and it did not cost the city of Santa Clarita a dime because private donations financed the project.
“It was a piece of cake getting people to throw money at the Santa Clarita project,” Andrade-Wax said. “In fact, one of largest donors was a car company.”
