Hello neighbors! 

Supposedly the groundhog saw its shadow so we’re supposed to have another 6 weeks of winter. Well, Mother Nature didn’t seem to get the memo. Hopefully she doesn’t find it since our trees are budding and flowers are starting to grow.

Just a reminder, warmer temperatures get people out of their houses to start walking, running and riding bikes again. With that, we must watch for people as we travel through the neighborhood. The speed limit  for our neighborhood is 25 mph.

I’ve gotten a few complaints about a black SUV and a black pickup truck driving pretty fast on Homeside Drive and Fireside Drive. Shaving a few seconds speeding home isn’t worth the risk of our neighbors and themselves..

Besides, do we really save time speeding to where we’re going? I used to think so until I timed myself driving to-and-fro my job downtown normally and speeding. I found driving faster saved me no more than 5 minutes. 

Was that 5 minutes really worth the risk of an accident or a speeding ticket? Was that 5 minutes worth the stress, frustration and Road rage I get towards other drivers that “got in my way” or “drove too slow” while driving? Was it worth the extra gas I was wasting just to shave off 5 minutes? Nope. 

By just driving with the flow of traffic,using cruise control and figuring out the speed set for timed traffic lights allowed me to reach my destination safely, in a good mood and a few extra bucks in my pocket. Driving became much more pleasant after I slowed down and went with the flow.

There are all kinds of stresses in our lives that we can’t really control. However, we can control the stress we give ourselves from driving. So, please, for the safety of yourself and others as well as your mental well-being, slow down. 

Like always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask.

 Take care,

—

Ryan Kruse

President

Hearthstone HOA