Boy Scout has plans for safer roads
By MARY PERHAM THE LEADER

CAMPBELL - A Boy Scout on a mission will mean safer roads in the Town of Campbell and Steuben

County.

Michael Hitchcock, 16, was scheduled to present road safety signs warning travelers of flooded highways in the town at 7 p.m. last week to the town board. The signs are the result of Hitchcock's efforts to earn his Eagle Scout badge, which included raising more than $3,000 in donations and making four aluminum signs and 35 rollup fabric signs warning of flooded road conditions.

The signs are based on the National Weather Service trademark warning, "Flooding Ahead, Turn Around, Don't Drown."

Those signs may be particularly handy in Campbell, a region typically hard hit by storms and flash floods.

Melting snow and ice combined with rain fall last Wednesday to close a portion of County Route 125 in the town when the Conhocton River crested at about 7.5 feet and seeped over the road.

Flooding is the second leading hazardous cause of death, far behind heatrelated fatalities, but higher than deaths due to lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes.

The Center for Disease Control has pegged heatrelated deaths at an average of 239 per year.

According to the National Weather Service, the national 30-year average for flood deaths is 99.

During the same period, the bureau reported 61 deaths caused by lightning, 54 deaths caused by tornadoes and 49 deaths caused by hurricanes.

The idea of warning signs was raised about a year ago by Town of Campbell Code Enforcement Officer Marv Rethmell, who told Hitchcock the signs could possibly reduce the town's insurance.

Hitchcock developed the project and raised money by providing coffee and refreshments at two rest areas on Interstate Highway 86. That netted $3,000 in donations, twice Hitchcock's original goal of $1,500.

Others donated materials and City of Elmira Public Works Department offered him the use of their sign shop. Elmira City employees also helped Hitchcock and members of his troop make the signs.

Hitchcock said there were times during the project he became discouraged and tired.

"But I thought, 'Well, I'm halfway through, there's no point in turning back now,'" he said.

Hitchcock was expected to give a presentation to the board outlining the project before giving the town four aluminum signs and four fabric signs. The remaining fabric signs will be presented to county Office of Emergency Services Director Michael Sprague for use throughout the county.

County Legislator Joseph Hauryski, R-Campbell, said he was elated to see someone in his district achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

"Scouts build the leaders of tomorrow so what he did was quite an accomplishment," Hauryski said. "It shows his determination ... and also points out the generosity of the public."