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I have sent these pages to absolutely everyone I could find in a capacity to help rectify this situation. I want to start a petition to get this road changed. It's not going to be easy, I know that. Now I'm asking, pleading for your help. If anyone knows of an attorney from out of the county (I've been able to learn that much, at least) that would help us start a petition, please have him/her e-mail me. If you are an attorney viewing this page, please send your advice.
Most of the people that have viewed this site, and virtually all who have left a statement feel the same way about this road. If the majority rules, then let's make a new one. We need to "scream together" as one viewer wrote, and they cannot ignore us forever.
In the meantime, I have built an on-line petition page. I don't know how much good it will do, but it can't hurt anything. Please go there and sign it.

Also, I have been trying to work with Powerweb to get this form to function properly, but it seems to elude us. Please go to feedback to register your thoughts. It's kind of mirror site. Thank you for your patience.

I need and really want to thank all of you who have read these pages and gave feedback. I want to especially thank those of you who signed the petition. You are brave and caring souls, we need more people like you. I can't say how much I appreciate it on behalf of the families who have lost loved ones on that curve. Please check back, I post updates as I get them. Also, send the links to your friends and family in the area, and a note to Governor Thompson. They say the squeeky wheel gets the oil and with enough effort, I believe we can accomplish something. First, Dead Man's Curve, after that, who knows??

We'd like to know what you think about this topic. Please leave your comments in this public guest book so we can share your thoughts with other visitors.

Then too, perhaps if we plead with District Systems Planning Chief Michael Rewey, maybe they can act sooner than 2003. Please see the e-mail message I received from Scott Simmons, listed below.

If for some reason the form does not seem to work properly, please send an e-mail to the following link......send an e-mail

These pages are the work and opinion of X / Scapes.
I tried not to step on any toes and hope I won't have to.
I believe in the power of the public majority.
Let's try to do the right thing.

Comments

I believe that stretch of road is highly dangerous and needs modification, before it claims more lives. Why does it always seem to take so many senseless tragedies before something gets done? Is the spilling of innocent blood where they got the phrase "Red Tape?"

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I have lived 2 miles off of hwy. 68 for 17 years now, and every time I have to travel to Fox Lake, I get a bit nervous about the drive. The curves on that road are very dangerous, and in the winter time even more so. What do we have to do to get someone to listen to us? Why do people have to make it so hard? Just do something to make the drive to Fox Lake safer before someone else gets killed. It could be one of your family members. We can spend all kinds of money to fix up certain roads but we can't fix up a highway that is only 8 or 9 miles long? There is something wrong here. What will it take to get someone to care? Someone to listen to a man who is in so much pain from the loss of his son that could have maybe been prevented if the state cared enough to do something about it. My heart goes out to the families of the three people who died on that curve, and I pray that something will be done soon, before someone else has to pay the price for someone else's negligence to do the right thing.

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The idea that the Dept. of Transportation can't do anything to correct "DEAD MANS CURVE" for about 4 or 5 years is insane. If some of the [Big Shots] in Madison would get their feet off of their desks and come and see for themselves exactly what the problem is, they wouldn't be so smug. We all know that if someone they cared about gets injured or killed on the CURVE, the money would appear and the road would be fixed. It is Bull Crap! If there was an unexpected business meeting in Jamaica, I'll bet the money for the so called Big Shots to attend it would seem to appear out of nowhere.

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Sad stories, I'll admit. But the question is, how many cars successfully negotiate that curve with no incident? If the true problem were the curve, then it stands to reason that EVERY vehicle would fail.

The three fatalities mentioned could have happened anywhere: a drunken driver, a man who fell asleep, and bad weather conditions.

I hope the situation gets resolved so that fewer incidents occur, but to solely blame the road and the people who built it is not fair.

    I am not trying to "blame the road and the people who built it." I merely published the facts at hand. It's the readers choice to place any "blame", as you put it, and take the appropriate action.
    I agree, those tragedies could (and often do) happen anywhere. But these didn't. However, the statements of the people living on that road should carry some weight, even with an apparent non-believer like yourself. They are the one's there 24-7. They are the ones who's doors get knocked on when someone needs assistance because of an incident on the Curve. And let's not take any credibility away from Bruce Harned, the EMT who responds to the accidents on the Curve. I find it hard to believe he would make that up.
    If you feel the need for "blame" to be placed somewhere, then let's put it on the shoulders of the people who earned it. The one's who sit idly by while someone else lies dying on the Curve for lack of action.

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I think you did a wonderful job, Cheryl. More people should be concerned......like you had stated...what if it had been their child or relative? It is a sad thing when anyone gets killed on a dangerous stretch of road........but it is a wonderful thing when someone wants to have something done about it. If more people would get involved with helping others, maybe it would cut down on lives being cut short.

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I don't know that road all that well, but I can tell you as a driver, I do know that it is a dangerous road. In fact my family and I won't even travel it, even if it means adding an extra 10 minutes to our drive. We own a motorcycle and have been in that area a few times and have decided to drive around rather than take that road. I also send my condolences to the Eveland family.

I am a Fox Lake resident and use Highway 68 all the time. I have read many scripts your home page offers. I too, "fear the curve". I also fear another area closer to Waupun that ices over very rapidly because of the dense trees close to the road located before the airport.

My question is: Has a bean counter for the state monitored the semi traffic on that road? That is a big issue with me and the safety issues that deal with this type of traffic and commercial use of this SHORT stretch of road. Perhaps getting the DOT to look at that area could generate a quicker response to this safety issue.

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This is what F. James Sensenbrenner had to say after I sent his office the link to these pages. And I quote..... "Thank you for your recent correspondence. I appreciate learning of your views and for pointing out that website to me. I frequently drive throughout the district when I return to listen to my constituents during my office hours at town hall and village meetings, therefore, like you, I am very concerned with the safety of our state's highways. It is important to note whereas Congress appropriates funds for states to build highways, the construction, location, and amount spent on any road with the states are decided by local and state officials. I am a proponent of state's rights to enforce the laws and regulations in this area. I urge you to contact your state representatives with your important concerns with the curve on Highway 68. Your State Senator, Scott Fitzgerald, can be reached at P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53702, or at his phone number, 608-266-5660. You can reach your State Assemblyman, Robert Goetsch, at P.O. Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708, or at his phone number 608-266-2540. Again, thank you for sharing this information with me. Keep in touch. Sincerely, F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. Member of Congress"

End of letter. Now, apparently he has forgotten that an election was just about to occur, and Goetsch would retire from office. Just one of the details that slipped his mind, I imagine. Makes you glad you're paying his wages and benefits, doesn't it? His concern for safety makes it well worth it, right? Almost worth his weight in taxes. Just another example of the red-tape we have to deal with. So it ends up right back in our lap. Now, what are YOU going to do??

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We live out in the country and have to load up our bikes to use the Wild goose trail. It is too dangerous for our children to ride on our road where the traffic travels at 55mph or more. I work in Watertown and it would not be feasable to bike to work but if I worked closer to Beaver Dam I would definately consider a five to ten mile bike ride to work. I enjoy getting my exercise in outside so this would be great! What I really would like to see a link for is for our children so we can ride safely together. My child may never learn to ride on her own if we can't find close easy access trails.

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Have you ever paid attention when something makes sense the government doesn't do anything about it .When it makes no sense they jump right on it. Keep the middle man out of the picture and it wouldn't cost as much. I think it has to be someone's cousin or family member doing the job. If it were their family members getting killed 68 would have been fixed years ago. Sorry I babbled.

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As an EMT and citizen of this area, I too am greatly concerned about this unsafe streach of road. Let me know what I can do to help.

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I just don't understand, have you seen the new Waupun High School?, driven on the rebuilt Hwy 33? Where did that money come from? Duh, I think 99% of the local taxpayers agree this is a dangerous curve. It's all of our responsibility to just do the right thing. So just fix it, please for the safety of everyone's lives. Aren't we worth it?

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I think you are doing a good job with the web site. You are getting your point across loud and clear. The bike trail sounds really foolish. $46,000 just to "study" the effects of having a bike trail is another good example of busy work for someone who kissed somebody's butt. Imagine how much money is spent through-out the state on just this kind of "busy work." Bike trails work in a city where you can get assistance if something should happen to the bike or the rider. They also work in warmer climates, not here. It sure doesn't take much brain power to figure that out.

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To Whom This May Concern: I, too, was an EMT on an ambulance call to that very same curve on HWY 68, but a different accident in which a young lady, who was also pregnant, lost her life. I would like to take this opportunity to implore the state government, township government, local city government and the general population of the surrounding Fox Lake area to take note and respond to a very dangerous situation. Every day, one of our family members, a close friend, or a neighbor, drives down that stretch of HWY 68. This is a very dangerous curve! On any given day, if you were to watch the general traffic that uses this highway, you could probably count nearly a hundred or so drivers who cross the center line while rounding that curve. I have been a resident of the Fox Lake community for many years, and a member of the EMS for 11 years. In those past 11 years, there has been the unfortunate stastic of having 3 young people lose their lives on the VERY SAME CURVE of road! It is time to stand up and take issue with the safety of this location. Is there not the possiblity of straightening out this section. There is farm land surrounding this location, often which is under water because it is a low standing area on one if not both sides of the road. Can our government not press the issue of making this a safer stretch of road. When we (the EMS) get called to this area, we are in general agreement that the situation is going to be bad. Two local people have lost their lives here, both were familiar to the area. The accidents were not the fault of the driver's persay, but happened just the same. Going to an accident call when it involves someone you know is the downside to being on the EMS for a small community, but, regardless of whether you know the person or not, you must perform to the best of your abilities. The aftermath of these scenes lives with us for the rest of our lives. I was not on the call involving the most recent accident in which the young boy lost his life, but it touches my emotions regardless of that fact. I have a teenager who drives on this road every day on her way to school, and every day I kiss her good bye, tell her to be safe, and to wear her seat belt. This may not save her life but is makes her second guess that curve in the road where she knows that her mother, as well as the entire fire department and EMS, would be called if it were her in an accident there. I can not even imagine the horror and devastation of loosing a child, much less being called to the scene as an EMT to care for my own child. Again, we, as a community, implore the State of Wisconsin to improve the situation on this highway. If we can spend millions of dollars to erect schools in which to educate our children, doesn't it make sense that we would protect their path to the actual building? Karen Gossink Fox Lake EMS

This is what Senator Herb Kohl had to say after I sent his office the link to these pages. And I quote...
"Thank you for taking the time to share your thought with me. I appreciate hearing from you. I also appreciate your sending me information regarding Highway 68.
Let me begin by saying that I do care about your concerns, whether they involve state or federal matters. In this case, I have little direct influence over the situation because Wisconsin State Highways are under the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, a state agency. As a federal official, I am rightfully limited in my ability to affect the decisions made by the state government. I recommend that you contact the Governor, as well as your Wisconsin State Representatives, to express your concerns. If you feel they are not representing your best interests, it is incumbent upon you to let them know. There is a toll-free number you may call to leave a message for your state elected officials or to find out who represents your district. The number is 1-800-362-9472.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. Even though I cannot deal directly with this matter, I assure you I will keep your views in mind. Please contact me again about issues that concern you."
Sincerely,
Herb Kohl.

Okay, so let's give him more credit than Sensenbrenner just in the wording of his reply. He obviously did take the time to view this site and saw Sensenbrenners letter, guessing he better come up with a less lame excuse. Also, now we have a TOLL-FREE number folks!! I strongly suggest we use it! I won't rip on Kohl, although, some of you might. I contacted him believing he is a fair-minded man, doing what he can for our benefit. Unfortunately, he tells us we have to deal with the unfair DOT. It's like the story of little David and the behemoth Goliath. Although, David did win that one, didn't he?

I received this e-mail in response to one of my letters:

The District 1 DOT office here in Madison has submitted an application for Hazard Elimination and Safety (HES) improvement funding to improve STH 68 just east of Fox Lake. I hope to hear this month that funding is approved. The soonest that construction could start would be 2003. Plans need to be made, right of way purchased and utilities relocated before a contract can be let.

District 1 has recently added a 35 MPH advisory sign for westbound traffic on the south side of STH 68 to match the existing one on the north side. Both signs are the largest advisory signs made. The night time curve advisory arrow signs have been replaced with the largest type made.

Please feel free to call me at (608) 246 - 5444 if you have any additional questions.

Scott Simmons
Planning Engineer

Comments

I am a volunteer firefighter and an "Ex" E.M.T. with the Fox Lake Fire Dept. I agree with the topic of Deadmans Curve. Being on the Dept. for close to 30yrs. I have made several trips to this curve either as a firefighter or an E.M.T. I have loaded lumber on trucks that dumped their load and/or overturned. I have jumped out of my vehicle on the way to work see if a car, "just barely visible" from the highway to see if I could assist someone and through the Grace of God, they were O.K. or O.K. and caught a ride to their home. How many of THESE types of accidents happen without the general public knowing about them?

I have some simple ideas which could be done UNTIL the curve is repaired properly! The warning "bumps" they have at dangerous intersections could be installed to "wake up" drivers who listening to their radio, have their minds someplace else, or just plain alert ALL drivers "this curve is dangerous"!

They could put solar charged blinking caution lights on the curve sign to alert drivers.

These are "quick fixes". Not the correct way to deal with this curve. Complete reconstruction of the curve is desperately needed!

I feel very sad for the father of this young boy, but DON'T FORGET the firefighter or E.M.T. who HAS to deal with these situations! They are human too! Next to the family, I believe the "Emergency Personnel" hurt very deeply too!

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Not trying to kick a wasp nest, but I don't feel the curve is dangerous, rather people are dangerous. No matter how much money and effort you throw into changing nature, it will resist you. Natural selection is a cold hard fact that we live by. Yes, it is sad when someone loses their life, but shifting attention from personal accountability only allows these problems to snowball. Let's wake up to the real problem. Cars are lighter, more manueverable, and safer than a few years ago. Roads are widened, de-curved, de-hilled and are speed limited. More money is put into plowing, salting and sanding. All these huge expenditures have been nullified by a decreasing awareness and ability by drivers. I've also been in contact with our officials to voice my opinion. Most of you should be happy to know that my money will also go into building a new road there, the funding has been approved. Grumbling because an instant gratification itch hasn't been scratched is needless. Think of the efforts to abolish this curve and multiply that by a thousand or more. If our officials approved every demand by sympathetic groups to remove a hill or curve, or pop up a stop sign in their area, we wouldn't be able to afford the shoes needed to walk to work, much less a car to drive there. Can't we work with nature instead of fight it?

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