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Neighbors Rally to Fix Road, Using YouTube to Spread Word

Posted at 9:26 PM, May 21, 2014
and last updated 2014-05-21 23:05:44-04

neighborhoodBATTLE CREEK, Mich. (May 21, 2014) – People in one Calhoun County neighborhood say the pothole- filled streets are threatening their safety.

They say they’ve been reaching out to the road commission since 2011.  But, as the roads continue deteriorating they’ve decided to take matters into their own hands.

The neighbors say they have been trying to get D Drive North fixed for years.  They say it’s just a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.

“D Drive North is just horrific, when you drive down that road you’ve got to drive down the center of the road if you’re hoping to avoid any pot holes,” neighbor Sarah Stout said.potholes

She says it’s constantly damaging cars.  But, for Laurie Oleksa and her son Danny, it’s a serious danger.

Danny suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident 11 years ago.  Oleksa says the jolts from hitting the chunks of missing road can cause him to have seizures.

“He has a real quick startle reflex which can sometimes trigger seizures,” Oleksa said.

Neighbors sent FOX 17 a video of the roads.

“We got so frustrated the other day; we said we’ve got to do something and that’s when Jane and I decided to record it and we sent it to you,” Stout said.

It’s a situation drivers around the state are facing after a brutal winter and with the lack of road funds.

Stout says every once in a while the road commission will come in and throw in loose asphalt, but doesn’t fix the roads.

The neighbors say they’ll keep reporting the issue to the road commission but understand there is a lack of funding.  They say they’ll keep at it until the road is fixed.

WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO NEIGHBORS TAPED TO SEND TO FOX 17 NEWS…