Well-Known School Traffic Guard Retires

For nearly three decades and in all kinds of weather, Lynn Todd stood twice a day at the corner of Locust Street and South Main Street ensuring that school-bound children could safely cross the busy thoroughfare.

In June, 86-year-old Lynn retired, ending a 29-year career as a Village employee.

Lynn, who says he’s beginning to feel his years, has noted a big change in the pattern of school traffic. “There was a time,” he says, “when I’d have 100 children crossing that street twice a day. Now it’s down to less than a handful. Parents don’t want their children to walk to school anymore. They’re worried about safety.”

Asked about what it was like to stand at his post during bitter winter days, Lynn says, “I never minded the cold. I’m an all-weather person.”

In September, Mayor Corby issued a “proclamation of gratitude and commendation,” praising the Church Street resident for his years of service. (A line in the proclamation notes that the honoree “also assisted the Mayor of this Village to safely cross South Main Street to attend school when the Mayor was a child.”)