Bypass would ruin creek's serenity

Although growing up in Bonner County was nice, after graduating college I moved away, and soon found myself, like many people in this country, rushing to places like Sandpoint to escape the concrete nightmare of daily living.

Recently, I moved back to Sandpoint with my family for the very reason that others have moved here.

During a bike ride we stopped to rest at Dog Beach. While there, the constant hum of traffic on the highway brought to light what is in store for Sand Creek. Proponents of the Sand Creek Byway need to go to Dog Beach and listen to the noise of the traffic. Then have lunch at one of the restaurants that overlook Sand Creek (be sure to sit outside) and imagine the noise you heard at Dog Beach. That's what you have to look forward to, along with a concrete wall/parking lot view (not to mention four years of construction).

It has been said that Sand Creek is only a mud hole with water in it three months out of the year. There are many bays along the river and lake that are mud flats nine months out of the year, too. Yet the tax assessor considers the real estate that borders those areas valuable.

There are other alternatives to re-direct truck traffic. We need a "real" vote on this issue to include all residents of Bonner County. Let's not ruin the peace and serenity of Sand Creek for just three months of congestion.

CHARLENE KRAMES

Sagle