Editorial: Being (speed) trapped in Rose-ndale incites both anger, appreciation

How annoying is Rosendale?

The lovely village 10 miles east of Ripon has the colorful Sisson’s Peony Gardens, a fisheree for all ages, wonderful volunteer fire and EMS departments, Laconia High School and the mighty Spartans, a historical society that is on the National Register, a welcoming sign to “friends and neighbors” and not one but two prime corners of Bluemkes.

So what’s not to like?

The #$&^%# speed traps.

Cops lying in wait to snag people with heavy right feet are a blemish on an otherwise tranquil town that stands between motorists who want an uneventful and inexpensive drive between Ripon and the mighty Hwy. 41.

Or are they?

OK, it’s no fun when you’re in a rush to get to Milwaukee, Chicago or Ripon when suddenly, in your rearview mirror, you spot Police Chief Gary Rose’s squad car. (Yes, the police chief of Rosendale is named “Rose;” other officers’ first names are Gregg, Alex and Tyler— no Dale, but there is a Brandon).

And it’s dispiriting when friends come to visit only to find out that despite driving hundreds of miles to get to Ripon, they were waylaid 10 miles out of town by a cop with radar and a ticket pad.

But you know what?

You’ve got to respect Chief Rose and his officers. They mean what they say. When the speed limit is posted, they expect folks to follow the law.

That should come as no surprise but it is startling. On I-894 as it enters Milwaukee, the posted speed limit is reduced from 70 to 55 mph. But you would’t know it as the average driver seems to have the needle set at about 75. Those who actually drive the limit risk being flashed by motorists behind them or being told they’re No. 1 by drivers of cars that whisk past them.

So it’s actually refreshing to know that, in Rosendale anyway, the law is enforced —consistently, fairly and without favor.

Chalk one up for a civil society.

Isn’t this how we are told to parent? Set boundaries for your children and when they exceed them, implement consequences for your credibility and their welfare.

To that last point, perhaps more important in Rosendale than fairness and trustworthiness, is traffic safety.

Sitting at the intersection of state Hwys. 23 and 26, Rosendale plays host to an uncommonly high volume of vehicles coming from Ripon, Waupun, Fond du Lac, Oshkosh and beyond. Such an important crossroads requires strict traffic enforcement, for visitors and residents.

So Rosendale, that’s the ticket?

You bet.

— Tim Lyke