Lack of support on road has been frustrating

After reading the guest opinion by Dover Mayor Randy Curless (March 28), I feel compelled to offer that which I’ve experienced as a resident of Dover. The picture painted by the mayor was what I had envisioned for Dover’s future when I spent countless hours fighting the annexation by Sandpoint and hoping to be annexed by Dover instead, many years back.

When we purchased our land in 1989, it was in the county and zoned rural residential, allowing five houses per acre, this was a deciding factor for our purchase. I presented several development plans that were immediately rejected without presentation to the council. Apparently during the comprehensive planning stages of our newly organized city, I’d been rezoned agricultural (10-acre parcels). Who has ever heard of any such thing within the city limits, unless it was pre-existing annexation.

I attended the council meetings on this subject and was assured by one council person at that time, that when I was ready to develop, my previous zoning in the county would be taken into consideration. When I again began my development plans in early 2000, I worked closely with city planning, and was advised that I would stand a better chance if I filed a zoning change asking for three-acre parcels, showing other previously subdivided land surrounding my property (one acre and less) as precedent, instead of asking for my previous zoning before being annexed into Dover.

After spending thousands of dollars to meet the city’s requirements before presentation of my development plans, I was met with community opposition organized by the mayor himself. In protest, I asked for copies of the taped meetings where the promise of consideration was made. I was given garbled tapes that were of no use. My husband was ill and dying at the time and I was forced to abandon the project.

Fast forward to this date and time. I am still living on a dirt road, West Pine (formerly Pine Street Loop). Evidently the city has spent all available road funds elsewhere. Upper Syringa Heights road was paved by funds raised by the residents alone. The city had previously held public meetings aimed at accomplishing the paving of these roadways which went nowhere.

I can’t help but notice all the paved turnouts to the mayor’s property, or previously owned property and driveways that never existed prior to the construction of the new bridge by the state on Highway 2.

Every time I turn onto West Pine off Highway 2, I have to signal before I reach the posted 60 mph sign to warn drivers gearing up for the increased speed limit that I have no safe turnout onto West Pine.

I’ve contacted the mayor trying to find out who made these decisions and why, to no end. I even engaged the assistance of a Councilwoman Denise Travis and, despite her many efforts to get an answer from the mayor, I still don’t know who to talk to at the state level about this safety concern.

This is supposed to be forwarding looking? In my estimation, the oligarchy is still in charge. Hopefully, the concerned voting citizens of Dover will turn out in full force to re-elect the councilwomen who are actually trying to make a difference and add one more forward looking councilperson this next election so that we can actually see a positive change for this city.

FREDA KING

Dover