Way back in September 2012 myself and some other school parents went to our city council meeting to request the city look into putting sidewalks to provide a safe route to school for those who walked or biked to school. We were met with hostility from residents who undoubtedly didn't support sidewalks - there were about 15 people wearing t-shirts with phrases like, "No sidewalks." People would boo when someone spoke in support of sidewalks and clap when those who didn't support stated something. Some people even said things like, "the school should move, we don't want it in our community." I was dumbfounded by the anger these people had over such an issue.
The small group of us continued to work on the issue, we were open to ideas, we were open to helping the city in whatever way we could, one parent did a video traffic count, we put out messages to school parents, we met with council members to educate and have an open discussion, but ultimately we stopped pushing for it after about two years because we were making little to no progress and instead were met with excuse after excuse.
Instead, I continued the conversation with those individuals I would come across who lived in the area, when those running for council came knocking on our door, I would ask them the following: "Where do you stand on sidewalks?" and "Would you support a sidewalk by the school?" and I based my vote on those responses.
Slowly those against sidewalks were voted out and those in support voted in (all but one). The campaign is back on, lead by a different parent, who started a petition (seriously a petition had to get started for a sidewalk so children could have a safe route to school). This petition has garnered support and has ignited the fire once again of the non-supporters. Their argument hasn't changed - a sidewalk will ruin their landscaping (oh, I didn't realize you could landscape the public right of way), it will decrease their property value (seriously? real estate research corp analysis showed property values rise fastest in pedestrian friendly areas and home buyers are willing to pay more for homes in walkable neighborhoods) and my favorite - if an accident occurred where someone were to get hit by a car, the damage wouldn't be severe because of the city's 25mph speed limit (did I really hear that correctly).
I remember at the September 2012 a man said to me, “you know this isn’t the first time this issue gets brought up and you can continue to bring it up, but in the end we will always win” (the anti-sidewalk group). And I just smiled.
So, the next council meeting is this coming Monday, we are trying to rally signatures, we are encouraging people to come to the meeting because we know all too well how rowdy the anti-sidewalk group is and we are hoping the city will put it on the agenda to vote on the issue.
Here is my open letter to city council:
Dear members of council:
I know the issue of sidewalks is a challenging, emotional-charged topic for this city. When I first started advocating for sidewalks several years ago - I had no idea what I was getting into. I thought a walkable community would be great for this land-locked city and it would connect everyone closer and I thought maybe they just don't know that there is no safe route to school for my children, so let me bring the topic up.
What we were met with was negativity and an unwelcoming atmosphere from fellow residents. We continued to try educate on the benefits and started a sidewalk committee at the kids school to look at safety issues so we could prove the necessary need for such a sidewalk and crosswalk. However, I quickly realized that it simply didn't matter. It didn't matter if a sidewalk would connect the city, it didn't matter if it got more neighbors outside of their homes interacting with other neighbors, and my children's safety certainly and clearly didn't matter. I was not going to change their personal opinion on sidewalks - you see some would say, well we have enough and I'm for sidewalks, just not on my street. So in essence you are not looking at what is best for the community, you as an elected council person are looking at your interests.
And so here we are today with a new city council (for the most part). The issue is once again being raised and is still emotionally charged for some residents. I could go over the multiple reasons and benefits why sidewalks are needed in our community, but I think all of you know this.
So, I'm asking the council to put this issue on the agenda and schedule a vote, and support sidewalks. Give my children and others in the community a safe place to walk to school, a place to run, and to connect within their community. If it's voted down, then at least I know we tried.
“Lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at you.” -David Brinkley
