Sidewalks should come before field

Regarding the local option tax that will be on the ballot this November — I’m all in favor. The 0.5 percent will not even be noticed by most consumers.

However, I do question whether the funds generated by the tax are being earmarked for the best possible use. Yes, Memorial Field is in need of repairs. But in my opinion, there are other areas within the city that are in more dire need, namely our sidewalks.

Has everyone already forgotten the big controversy surrounding the replacing of city sidewalks of just a few short years ago? Many homeowners were forced to pay for replacing sidewalks that bordered their property. There was such an outcry of nonsupport for this policy (and rightly so) that it has apparently been put on hold.

Individual property owners should not be forced to pay for improvements that are for public us. However, there are several sidewalks within the city limits that are barely usable. Pine Street between First and Fifth avenues has many areas that are in deplorable condition as well as Sixth Avenue — and, I’m sure, many other sidewalks are in need of replacing as well.

So let’s give this some consideration before determining exactly where these funds are to be spent.

LEA SAMMONS

Sandpoint