Sidewalk for Safety

While I think having sidewalks on neighborhood streets promote better safety for our residents and especially our young children, I did not side with the rest of my City Council members during a recent discussion on placing a sidewalk on Marion Ave. Now, you might be suprised since I have led many efforts on greenway/sidewalks/trails throughout the city but there was a big difference in this case.

Every member on the City Council besides myself has stated that they want to move forward with installation of a sidewalk on Marion Ave. even though we had surveyed the residents and a great majority are against its installation.

Now, the neighbors are outraged that the Council would move in this direction considering that they were surveyed three times and at all times they were not in favor of a sidewalk.

While I agree with my fellow members on the Council on a need for a sidewalk on Marion, I think we must show RESPECT to our citizens on their judgement. As long as a majority of owners in this neighborhood agree I see no need to go against their position on this issue.

I will not vote to force a sidewalk on Marion against the will of the people.