I have been an advocate for sidewalks in Shawnee for many years now. After all, Shawnee residents have repeatedly listed sidewalks among the top “quality of life” issues for the city. Recently, however, some of the city commission candidates have been using the sidewalk situation as a campaign issue. It is hard for me to believe that they think that they will get your vote by advocating a moratorium on sidewalk construction. The city needs more sidewalks. If past city commissioners had not routinely waved the sidewalk ordinance, the city would now have a network of sidewalks that could only serve to enhance the livability of the city. We live in a city in a state that has one of the lowest health rates and one of the highest obesity rates in the country. Do you think that walking could improve that situation and maybe even save some gasoline? Today, walking in Shawnee means walking in the streets. Anyone who feels that “sidewalks to nowhere” should not be built is certainly taking a narrow minded and shortsighted position on the issue. We must start somewhere and keep building sidewalks. Let’s put the sidewalk issue to rest and start addressing some of the more difficult problems that Shawnee faces. Sidewalks can only benefit Shawnee residents and make the city a better place to live.
Gerhard Laule,
Shawnee
