Inability to communicate doomed crosswalk plan

Heartsick, appalled, disappointed is exactly how I felt after receiving a drawing of a pedestrian crossing at Highway 2 and Michigan Street shortly before it was to be implemented near my business. I hold Molly O'Reilly personally responsible for the City Council having to turn down a grant for the pedestrian-activated light due to her inability to communicate with business owners and the people of Sandpoint.

I believe through communication with the public, we could have been able to come up with a plan that was not only safer than the proposed location but also had less impact to businesses. More than 2,000 vehicles come and go from my business daily. Is this safe for pedestrians and students? Is it safe putting a crossing where six streets converge and two businesses have customers coming and going all day?

I don't believe we should spend grant money just to spend grant money. Safe Routes to School has no plan. They just receive money and then try to spend it without considering the big picture or how it will tie together with projects in the future. Yes, Molly, ITD has communicated their plan to us although Safe Routes to School never did.

In addition, the plan to widen Highway 2 in the future would make the $77,000 grant a short-term fix and the pedestrian-activated light would most likely be removed anyway.

Let's get it right the first time. I am certainly in favor of a safe pedestrian crossing at Highway 2. I embrace this project and know that through communication and a well thought out plan we can get this objective accomplished.

JAY VAN DEN BERG

Sandpoint