I think most people would agree that a well-planned network of interconnecting sidewalks providing pedestrians and people with disabilities access to commercial districts, schools, government offices, and recreation areas. However, a hastily-written ordinance imposing financial hardship on residents and creating a sprinkling of disconnected sidewalks throughout the city is not the way to achieve this.
The U.S. Department of Transportation sponsored a study in 1999 titled “Designing Sidewalks and Trails For Access”, which is readily available on line and defines a more practical approach for cities to follow in implementing sidewalk policies. Emphasized throughout this document is the need to develop short and long-term plans that involve the public from the very beginning. Through surveys conducting an analysis to identify and offset any adverse effects the policy might have on citizens, and identifies state and federal funding available to help offset the costs.
I understand the original side-walk ordinance approved by Shawnee’s City Commission was recently revised and is no longer quite as intrusive as it once was. This was done after months of citizens complaints and after many “sidewalks to nowhere” had already been poured. This is not good government !
Good government involves planning ahead and the ability to assess the impact a new policy may have on citizens; before passing it into law and taking necessary steps to minimize any hardships that might be placed on those affected. It involves asking for public input, taking their suggestions and concerns into consideration before making important decisions.
With good government we would have a plan in place to begin building interconnecting sidewalks. Also a long-term plan to insure that commercial districts, schools, public offices, and areas of recreation throughout the city are eventually readily accessible to all citizens.
G. W. Carr,
Shawnee
