12 •
• 1 JUN 2019
[Special Features]
SHEERDANCE.COM
Westlake Legislation Signed into Law! BY THERESA KIMLER
The
senseless and tragic loss
days. The new law creates accountabil-
Protected by liability caps, they refuse
of Nic Westlake left his family and
ity and visibility for light rail operators
practical change and will apparently
friends looking for answers as to how
with the hope they will drive more
have to be forced to reason by further
losses like this could occur and why
responsibly and conscientiously, mak-
legislative action. With a level of deter-
light rail operators are able, with gross
ing the light rail system more safe.
mination that Nic would often exhibit,
negligence, to kill people and return
The passage of the legislation rep-
to work three days later without con-
resents a good and remarkable change
sequence. They found that a portion
made in Nic’s name. Though very grate-
Though not like dance, Nic loved
of the problem was badly written
ful for this result, family and friends
the light rail and believed in it. The
legislation.
his family and friends will aggressively pursue further change.
want more. Any one of more than
hope is that among the many gifts
Tireless family efforts and efforts
5 simple, inexpensive, easily imple-
Nic bestowed upon us, making the
of Neli Petkova, Nels Petersen, and
mented safety upgrades to the light
light rail a safer and more publicly
Ember Reichgott Junge, along with
rail would have prevented Nic’s death
responsive part of our community
kind State Legislators Carla Nelson
and the severe injuries caused to Neli
will be another. E
and Cheryl Youakim, passed legislation
Petkova. Normal, usual, and prudent
that started some of the needed legal
business practice would call for instant
repairs. Passing legislation is a very dif-
implementation of these changes. The
ficult and challenging thing to do these
Metro
Transit
operates
differently.
MN Governor Tim Walz, Peter Westlake, MN Legislators Carla Nelson and Cheryl Youakim, and MN Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. Photo by State Capitol Staff.