Requiring posted addresses creating controversy in rural town
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Spring Prairie Township Board Chairman Jim Simons stands next to his house number on Paradise Drive. While Simons has posted his address, he is opposed to a plan that would require all township residents to do so.
SPRING PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP — In this rural township of winding roads and secluded homes, many residents don’t bother posting their addresses outside their houses.
But they might be putting their lives in danger.
Unlike other towns in the Walworth County, Spring Prairie town doesn’t require addresses to be visible.
Fire officials say the lack of address signs can delay emergency response, but the town board is reluctant to act as big brother and impose an address-posting law on its residents.
“I don’t think the government should involve themselves in everybody’s life all the time—period,” Town Chairman Jim Simons said. “I think that your house address is your personal responsibility … I didn’t move to the country to be just like everybody else.”
The town board has decided to let the town’s 2,200 residents vote in November on whether they want uniform, reflective address signs posted at the end of every driveway. Homeowners would have to pay a one-time fee of $30 to $40.
Township resident Beverly Scott says the lack of signs endangers lives by delaying police, fire and medical response.
“They’re driving around aimlessly, and they can’t find ya,” she said. “These are precious minutes, whether it’s a house fire or a heart attack.
“If anybody has half a brain in the town of Spring Prairie, they’ll pass the referendum.”
Township residents can post house numbers anywhere, and it’s not required that they post them at all.
Steve Bartle, first assistant chief with the East Troy Area Fire Department, said most towns require address signs.
“It’s just a simple, low-tech device,” Bartle said. “It just does its little job.”
But in Spring Prairie Township, it’s difficult to find homes during emergencies, he said.
“There have been cases where you overshoot the address you want because you can’t find it,” Bartle said. “There was one instance where there were two houses on one driveway and only one of them was marked. There are a lot of long driveways down there. You don’t know what’s back there and there’s nothing posted.”
The signs aren’t pretty and they’re a pain to mow around, he said, but they’re proven to work.
“Ninety-nine percent of the people will never have an issue, but if someone has a heart attack it can be a huge difference,” Bartle said. “To me it’s a no-brainer, but it’s not to everybody. Some people think it’s big brother coming down their throats, but it’s an address sign. I would think people would want us to be there.”
Roy Lightfield, a Spring Prairie board member, said he has his address posted on his house. His home is on the road, and his house numbers are visible.
He’s against an ordinance requiring posted addresses, partially because they’ll require maintenance.
“It’s quite costly, and we’re in a budget crunch like everyone else,” Lightfield said. “I feel I don’t need it.”
Ultimately, he said, voters will resolve the dispute.
“I guess it’s one of those things where we’re darned if we do and we’re darned if we don’t,” Lightfield said.
“I feel more comfortable letting the people decide.”
Jun 23, 2008 at 10:15 a.m.
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There are more people involved here than just the property owner. Does anyone care to think about the people who work for emergency services that have to deal with the consequences of not being able to find an address quickly? Emergency situations can quickly produce fatalities and tragic losses that are difficult for even the most seasoned personnel to accept.
Jun 23, 2008 at 6:49 a.m.
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Looks like a nice place to go rob someones house. Just go pick a place without an address sign. If someone calls the cops you will have extra time while they go driving up and down the back roads.
Jun 23, 2008 at 12:34 a.m.
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It would seem that the decision to post or not post one's address would be up to the property owner. If he/she decides, in an emergency, they don't want to make it easier for emergency services to find them, then they suffer the loss. Then, again, what if they have friends over and an emergency occurs. Should the guests have to live with the "bad choices" of the property owners? So many questions....
Jun 22, 2008 at 10:18 p.m.
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When extra tax dollars are spent because police and fireman have to drive around looking for a house, then yes, the signs should be a minimum requirement. Did Mr. Lightfeld really say $30-$40 is "quite costly"? Wow.
Jun 22, 2008 at 10:14 p.m.
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Or perhaps if someone doesn't want to put up a sign they could be exempt if they sign a waiver stating the don't care if emergency services don't get there in time to do any good.
But then, that wouldn't hold up because of the insanity clause.
Jun 22, 2008 at 9:36 p.m.
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Beverly Scott thinks she knows what's best. So that'll be the way it's gotta be done for everybody. Force them to have a sign, AND PAY FOR IT?
I would put one up if I didn't have one, but to force a person to do it is BS. This is why our country is going to crap. Everyone with any power has to tell everyone else what is good for them...
Jun 22, 2008 at 7:13 p.m.
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It's a public safety issue. Give them a deadline to put them up or then the county should do it for them and add the cost to their tax bill. Case closed.
Jun 22, 2008 at 3:04 p.m.
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I personally wouldn't be complaining. It enables the right people to find your house in case you cannot be standing outside to show them. Should you have a heart attack or in the process of being burglarized you hardly can be out waving the EMTs or police down. $30-40 is one to two meals out when you're too lazy to cook. Cut back for a few weeks and your (possible) life saving sign is paid for. Weed whack around the sign at the same time you do the rest of the yard. Just a one time payment for a sign that may save your life, and trim around it, if you wish. If cutting around a thin metal sign is a big issue, I think you're going about it the wrong way!
Jun 22, 2008 at 12:56 p.m.
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This is just plain silly. Why would you not want your address to be found easily in an emergency? They are also handy for first time visitors to your home. I have a fire sign and big deal if you have to mow around it...it's not that hard to do. It's set back from my mailbox and has never been damaged. It's not big brother invading our privacy, it's just common sense!
Jun 22, 2008 at 11:40 a.m.
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Don't be idiots! Shut up and buy the signs! I apologize for being so blunt, but you are dealing with the difference between life and death here and moaning about spending $40. I feel very strongly about this issue because I work very closely with the fire department and EMS and they want to save your lives! Think about the sick feeling of frustration that a first responder feels when he or she cannot quickly locate the residence that a call comes from when mere seconds can mean the difference between life and death, recovery or severe brain damage. Do the right thing. Help these people save your lives. Do it for your families. Do it for your neighbors. Do it for the children. Just do it!
Jun 22, 2008 at 11:11 a.m.
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People complaining about a one-time charge of $30 to $40! It's about half a tank of gas. Perhaps they can offer financing for such a large purchase. Maybe the opposing homeowners in the story could get a HELOC to pay for it. Of course, anonomouse seems to have a business preposition.
Jun 22, 2008 at 9:55 a.m.
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where are you buying address signs that cost $30 or $40? If they are that high there I'll go into business selling them half price
Jun 22, 2008 at 9:01 a.m.
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So what if the fire department which provides fire and EMT services simply refused to renew its contract with the township if they don't post addresses? The township could then form its own department and raise taxes accordingly to pay for it.
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Might cost a bit more than the $30-40 that the address signs would cost, but, hey, who said freedom was gonna be free?
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Gimme a break . . .
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