MISSION, Kan. — Some area store owners are saying the surrounding lights need to be turned on around their businesses, which are right off Johnson Drive in Mission. The area has traffic lights which have yet to be installed.
It’s hard walking in the dark; now imagine if you have to drive in it. That’s what drivers are doing every day, along with the businesses which are locking up in the dark. All of it can be very frustrating.
Nuts, bolts and a lot of orange cones adorn the construction on Johnson Drive which is nearly finished. All it’s missing is a little light.
Dave Miller has been in business for 40 years. Everyone in town knows Werner’s Specialty Foods, but when it gets dark, it’s a little hard to recognize.
“I have to stand outside like Diogenes with a light looking for an honest man,” laughed Miller, who is the owner of Werner’s Specialty Foods.
The problem though, is no laughing matter. The street won’t be installed for another eight to 10 weeks.
“It’s very hard to see outside. It’s like driving in the country,” said Miller.
The city’s temporary solution is to ask businesses to keep its light on and to hang Christmas lights around town, in order to hopefully brighten up the road.
“I’m sure the problem will be alleviated. It’s just frustrating at the present time because they have all this time to deal with this, to plan for this,” said Miller.
Since the sun started setting earlier, miller finds it harder to keep customers coming as darkness takes over.
“It doesn’t feel inviting or warm,” said Miller.
So he makes sure to invite customers in with a smile despite what’s happening outside. The lights could be put in as late as January.