Community Corner

Traffic Agent a Symbol of Positivity and Kindness

Kat, the traffic lady, is a dancing, smile-spreading Sandy Hook resident.

Update 8:45 p.m.: Kathy Holick graciously answered a few questions via Facebook for Patch.com.

Patch: What was your reaction to the Hartford Courant article? 
Kathy Holick: I was quite shocked that they wanted to do a story on me. When they did, I thought that they did an amazing job.

Patch: Have you seen any responses in the community to the article?
Holick: Oh my, YES. People drove by saying that they saw it. Since the news stations picked it up, people are saying that I'm a celebrity. Others are saying that it's about time somebody noticed.

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Patch: What do you do to stay positive and energetic? 
Holick: I think of my family and friends to start me off. Upcoming events to get the extra burst and them I think of the children who wave to me with such joy, from buses and cars. Then I throw some music on from my phone that's in my shirt pocket, and groove to the beat.

Patch: How long have you been a traffic agent?
Holick: I just started doing this Oct. 2013 and since I don't fear much for me, I was able to step right in. My fears are always of others.

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Kat, the traffic lady, as she has come to be known, can be seen on Newtown's busy streets, dancing and directing traffic to the delight city residents.

The Hartford Courant discovered Kathy Holick and detailed the joyous job she makes of helping students and drivers safely navigate Newton roads.

Holick dances while she works, listening to music from her cellphone and waving forward cars and people with enthusiastic jazz hands.

Admirers sometimes give her gifts of gratitude, which Holick posts about on the Facebook page she made, called “Newtown's Smiling Traffic Agent.” She posts funny animal pictures, silly sayings and words of encouragement for her fans to enjoy. The page has more than 1,000 likes, and the number is growing.

“Although today is the last day of school... Smiles, cute and funny pics and quotes will still be posted, so don't worry you'll get your day started or ended with a Smile! Have a safe and FUNTASTIC summer!!!” says a post at 12:44 p.m. Wednesday.

Newton residents told The Courant they even go out of their way to pass 47-year-old traffic agent and share a smile.

"Everyone seems to love her and she has put smiles on many faces,” Newtown resident John Bergquist told The Courant. “If she was directing traffic in any town across the country she would deserve praise and attention for the unique approach to her job. But someone who stands out for her kindness is especially meaningful in a community that is still healing from a massive trauma."

Check out this Hartford Courant video of Kathy Holick dancing and talking about her job as a traffic agent.


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