SIDEWALKS: Not everyone will be happy

We didn’t have sidewalks growing up. I lived across the street from the homes my great-grandfather built between Garden and Coeur d’Alene Ave on 16th street. There still aren’t any sidewalks there. We played safely without any issues, but we were Gen X. At one point, there was much discussion in our household because the talk of sidewalks came up. My grandfather talked at length about the city wanting the homeowner to front the bill, although the homeowners had already contributed funds to have sidewalks built back in the 60s, but the sidewalks were never built. The city kept the money but never followed through.

He was REALLY angry that now, in the ’80s, the folks at city hall were trying to get him to pay for something that had already been paid for years ago. He told me over and over that if the city ever came asking for money for the sidewalks to be installed, to never forget they had already been paid for.

I was in elementary school then, and I can’t prove that he was right, but I would like someone to research this and see if he was. He told me to never let the city come asking homeowners to pay for the sidewalks. No double dipping.

Do I agree that sidewalks that go nowhere seem a bit silly? Yes, but ... what might seem useless now doesn’t mean it wouldn’t encourage more sidewalks to be finished off in the future. The four generations of my family living and making a mark in the community have seen many changes that don’t always make sense of things at the moment. When walking on a street where there is a random, nowhere-ending sidewalk, I will step onto it and use it for its duration.

The council is doing the right thing by addressing the language. There are many factors to be considered. We can’t just go forcing people to build a sidewalk based and a remodel, especially if my grandfather is correct, and it was paid for already by a previous owner.

I now live on a corner lot, with what feels like a mile of sidewalk when shoveling in the winter. I’m near Canfield Middle School where the kids walk every day, and sometimes, they choose to walk in the street, but at least they have the option to use the sidewalk.

I trust the council to hash this out and come up with an appropriate solution. Sure, not everyone will be happy, but change is always going to be harder for some than others.

SHARON LIND

Coeur d’Alene