Persuasive Letter
Deborah D. Mogg
NUR/405
June 11, 2012
Kim Hall

Persuasive Letter
Dear Mr. Supervisor: My name is Deborah Mogg and I am a Registered Nurse and a student at University of Phoenix in the RN-BSN program. I am writing this letter to you as the Supervisor of the Charter Township of Waterford to bring forward an issue that I feel needs attention in our township. I recently completed a Windshield Survey of my immediate community of Watkins Lake Estates and I have lived in Waterford for sixteen years. During this time I have noted the lack of adequate right-of-ways for both pedestrians and bicyclists. I also noted the alarming number of overweight and obese adults and children in the community. I’m sure you are aware of the exploding epidemic involving obesity and the increase of chronic disease conditions related to obesity including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). The effects of obesity and poor nutritional choices are well-documented and reported in every form of media available today. You may not be aware that the United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2011-2020 as the Decade for of Action for Road Safety, with the stated goal to reduce road fatalities around the globe utilizing efforts at the regional, national, and global levels (“UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020”, n.d.). I think these two can be put together to promote awareness and a healthier lifestyle for our community. I noted during my Windshield Survey that there are a large number of both elementary and high school students, as well as adult students and those utilizing the facility at the Crary building, formerly Crary Middle School. Many of them come from Watkins Lake Estates and must walk in the street as there are no sidewalks in the entire subdivision. There is a sidewalk along the main line (Pontiac Lake Road), but only on one side and once citizens travel to the major through-way (M-59) there are very few sidewalks at all. This does not prompt citizens to walk to close destinations (allowing for physical exercise) and it does not provide a safe environment for those who do walk or ride bicycles. I also noted small children riding their bicycles in the street around the neighborhood and not always following basic bicycle safety rules. I propose a plan of both immediate action and future planning. To begin with, we need to better educate the pedestrian and cyclist population. Partnering with Waterford Schools, local daycare centers, and the Waterford Township Police Department, we can offer a summer educational series utilizing readily available information. There is a wonderful resource on the Internet at www.safekids.org that covers multiple topics, including road and bicycle safety (Safe Kids Worldwide, 2009). These can be worked into day camps offered by the school system or the Parks and Recreation Department. Fliers can be sent home with students as well. As we teach children about pedestrian and bicycle safety we also encourage physical activity. The next step involves both immediate action and planning. Using volunteers we can collect data about the general population’s feelings on the subject. Using local communication boards in local businesses, get the word out about future meetings to discuss the issue, including funding. Assign a task force to collect data regarding traffic patterns and accidental injuries involving pedestrians and present it in public meetings. Improvements of this nature are normally funded by the taxpayers; they will have to be convinced of the necessity of these actions and how imperative to the health and safety of the community they are. The same task force can research possible alternative funding, perhaps through local or state government grants. Future planning that I recommend is changing township ordinances to mandate the installation of sidewalks and right-of-ways in all new construction. It would save money in the long run and greatly aid in the effort toward improved safety. If this goes into the initial plan of the new construction sites it can be worked right in with the infrastructure of the area and that would much easier than the retrofits that may be necessary in established areas. On the obesity issue, partnerships with the school system and daycare centers would again be appropriate, as well as local healthcare providers, clinics, and acute care facilities. Semi-annual health fairs need to be planned, perhaps coinciding with summer and winter. Competitions similar to those in reality TV shows could be held, raising money for various charities and with incentives for all participants. Nutrition camps could be organized for students for summer activities. Better food choices need to be provided at all levels in the school system. Healthcare providers and facilities could assist in the planning and dissemination of information about these and other activities. I am a concerned citizen and I wish to make a difference. I am confident that by taking advantage of available resources and utilizing community partnerships we can develop a plan that will improve not only the safety of our children and pedestrians but also the health of each member of the community. These ideas are just a start. I am sure that if we seek them out, we will find many others that are just as concerned and willing to participate in the development and implementation of a plan to accomplish these goals. I would like to bring these concerns and discussions to the attention of the public at a Township Meeting. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or ideas that you may have. Thank you very much for your time and attention.

References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Overweight and obesity. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/causes/index.html
Safe Kids Worldwide. (2009). Pedestrian safety. Retrieved from http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/pedestrian/
UN decade of action for road safety 2011-2020. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTTOPGLOROASAF/Resources/2582212-1265307800361/decade_of_action_2011.pdf