Sand Creek Byway will destroy town

Surely your city planners must be either joking or insane. Or both. I speak, of course, of the proposed bypass down Sand Creek.

I am a Spokane area resident who frequently travels to Sandpoint for weekend getaways. (I have been there the past two weekends, for instance.)

I love your downtown area with its relaxed and attitude-free ambiance, your art galleries and sporting goods stores and your charming eateries along Sand Creek and the marina.

I cannot imagine for the life of me why in the world you would want to destroy that in the name of easing "traffic congestion." (You have precious little.)

Your freeway bypass will do two things: first, it will destroy the peace and quiet of Sand Creek and the surrounding businesses. Second, it will flush drivers past your town and flush the tourism money as well. Any fool can see what happens when overly-efficient bypasses are created: it destroys the town.

What happens when you turn a creek into a culvert? Nothing grows. You will strangle your downtown, and through that insane act, the charm your community holds for resident and visitor alike.

I've lived in smaller communities, and know how hard it is to change one's mind — even to admit when something is a bad idea. I imagine that there are strong proponents for both sides on this issue. But speaking as someone who loves your community, believe me when I say this: I could just as easily go to Coeur d'Alene, but choose Sandpoint for its peace and quiet. You will destroy that, and the reason people like me come to Sandpoint.

I hope you will reconsider. Sand Creek is the centerpiece of your community. Do not destroy it for a freeway.

ROD KELLER

Colbert, Wash.