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Residents speak for, against sidewalks
(by Sue Reid - January 05, 2011)
Residents speak for, against sidewalks
By SUE REID
Prior to Solon City Council approving an ordinance to install sidewalks on both sides of the entire length of Bainbridge Road Monday, some residents spoke out on the issue. The sidewalks were recommended by the ward council representatives and council's public works committee.
Bainbridge Road resident Sandra Kay said she knows it's a "done deal" but asked that council consider not having the sidewalks on both sides. "Is there some undying need for symmetry?" she asked, noting that few people walk along the road. "People won't be huffing up the street to Borders," she said, referring to the store in the Uptown Solon shopping center on Kruse Drive.
Since there already is so much concrete, Ms. Kay said, she asked that council consider sidewalks that have a more permeable surface.
Bainbridge Road resident Alyssa Keeny said she has an issue with the process involved in determining people's positions on the sidewalks. She said that Ward 3 Councilwoman Toni M. Richmond, who went door to door to obtain opinions, is not an elected official, and she was appointed to her position.
"We were promised by our elected official, John Scott, that he would talk to Bainbridge Road residents only," Ms. Keeny said of the former ward councilman.
Ms. Richmond's position was to speak to residents in contiguous neighborhoods, as well, saying they too would be affected by sidewalks.
"That, to me, is not a process we should have in Solon," Ms. Keeny said.
Bainbridge Road resident Perry Tatonetti said he wants sidewalks on both sides. "The sidewalks are on the plan," he said. "I'm not sure why you have to vote on them."
According to the design of the project, sidewalks would be installed the entire length of the road and would stop just short of the eastern corporation line.
"They will look nice, too," Mr. Tatonetti said.
Bainbridge Road resident Dr. Stephen Luczek said he is opposed to them. "Sidewalks are going nowhere," he said. "We have no shopping malls or parks to walk to." People can walk on the bicycle paths if they choose to, he said. Just because stimulus money was awarded for the project, Dr. Luczek said, "don't spend money like a drunken sailor."
Bainbridge Road resident Julie Urban said she at first opposed sidewalks but now is in favor of them. "I think sidewalks would be a big improvement and benefit our houses," she said.
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