Seven-year-old lobbies city council for duck crossing sign

A second-grader in Michigan has lobbied successfully on behalf of the duck population. Jessica Maladecki was concerned about a mother duck and her ducklings crossing a busy stretch of roadway. So much so that she gathered signatures and went before the town council to ask for a sign.

Jessica and her family spent a lot of time biking along Koppernick Road this summer and asked why there were no duck signs posted. She was worried about a family of ducks living near a roadside marsh, much too close to traffic. "We always see this mom on the side of the road with her babies," Jessica said. "I felt like they were going to just cross."

So seven-year-old Jessica started her crusade, going door to door gathering signatures. She collected four pages full to petition the city council to post duck crossing signs.



"She really brought a lot of positive energy to that council meeting," said Westland Mayor William Wild. "She actually had to stand on a chair so she could see over the top of the podium."

Duane Maladecki, Jessica's father, said the council was excited to have her present. "Everyone clapped for her, it was fantastic," he said. Sign crews went right to work to make the crossing signs and posting them in short order.

This second grader feels a huge sense of accomplishment. "People have been driving a lot slower," Jessica said. "I'm just so happy for her and the ducks."

With news video.