I read with interest a passing comment in the local paper that a new sidewalk renovation program for the "historic" center of the city is off to a slow start. The city wants to replace aging sidewalks to improve access to downtown. Under the program, the city is offering to pitch in $500 for repairs and have residents pay for the rest.
A few observations about the "slow start". My sidewalks are not in need of replacing, so I don't have a dog in the fight.
1) "Most people don't know about the program." I'd say this is an incorrect assumption. It has been widely reported in the local paper, and I've heard my neighbors talking critically about the program (their argument in a moment). I would speculate that the real issue is that the city is only putting $500 to help incentivize residents to participate. Money talks, but for this project, $500 isn't enough to motivate action.
2) Unrealistic expectations. The last time I looked at the "historic" district of Marysville, it probably reflects the lower income segment of the population. It's tough for people to pay for gas, bills, food, taxes, etc and then layout the additional funds to replace what they perceive to be "the city's sidewalks." Local policymakers will fall back on city ordinances that state upkeep of the side walks are the property owners responsibility. That is fine on paper, but in reality, many of the folks (many of whom are seniors) just can't afford to choose between prescription medication or food and repairing the sidewalk. This is the plight of my elderly neighbors. I empathize with their frustration (their walks are made of brick (see picture), which I think has more of an historic appeal than fresh concrete). Bottom line: most of the people being asked to "pony up" just can't afford it, even with the additional cash layout from the city.
3) Already over-taxed. A broader issue may be related to the fact that people can't afford to participate because they feel over-taxed by the city. For instance, folks who live in the city of Marysville but who work someone else no longer get a discount on their local taxes based on the amount they of local tax paid to their employers city. City leaders repealed the discount, effectively penalizing or "raising taxes" on anyone who works outside of Marysville.
People are aware of the "sidewalk" program. But naturally, they are not going to participate because they get little in return for the investment (relatively speaking) they've made. Surely some creative individual in city government can find some sort of grant from the state or federal government to cover the costs.
The dollars are likely out there, but no one has bothered to find them.
The city has a history of not being aware of the assistance available to help deal with these types of issues. For instance, the closing of the 5th street crossing due to safety reasons could have been avoided years ago, had someone bothered to pick-up the phone and ask the state PUCO or the state Rail Commission for dollars to upgrade the crossing (it clearly qualified). Instead, we have a significant road shut down until the next cycle of funding is available.
A few observations about the "slow start". My sidewalks are not in need of replacing, so I don't have a dog in the fight.
1) "Most people don't know about the program." I'd say this is an incorrect assumption. It has been widely reported in the local paper, and I've heard my neighbors talking critically about the program (their argument in a moment). I would speculate that the real issue is that the city is only putting $500 to help incentivize residents to participate. Money talks, but for this project, $500 isn't enough to motivate action.
2) Unrealistic expectations. The last time I looked at the "historic" district of Marysville, it probably reflects the lower income segment of the population. It's tough for people to pay for gas, bills, food, taxes, etc and then layout the additional funds to replace what they perceive to be "the city's sidewalks." Local policymakers will fall back on city ordinances that state upkeep of the side walks are the property owners responsibility. That is fine on paper, but in reality, many of the folks (many of whom are seniors) just can't afford to choose between prescription medication or food and repairing the sidewalk. This is the plight of my elderly neighbors. I empathize with their frustration (their walks are made of brick (see picture), which I think has more of an historic appeal than fresh concrete). Bottom line: most of the people being asked to "pony up" just can't afford it, even with the additional cash layout from the city.
3) Already over-taxed. A broader issue may be related to the fact that people can't afford to participate because they feel over-taxed by the city. For instance, folks who live in the city of Marysville but who work someone else no longer get a discount on their local taxes based on the amount they of local tax paid to their employers city. City leaders repealed the discount, effectively penalizing or "raising taxes" on anyone who works outside of Marysville.
People are aware of the "sidewalk" program. But naturally, they are not going to participate because they get little in return for the investment (relatively speaking) they've made. Surely some creative individual in city government can find some sort of grant from the state or federal government to cover the costs.
The dollars are likely out there, but no one has bothered to find them.
The city has a history of not being aware of the assistance available to help deal with these types of issues. For instance, the closing of the 5th street crossing due to safety reasons could have been avoided years ago, had someone bothered to pick-up the phone and ask the state PUCO or the state Rail Commission for dollars to upgrade the crossing (it clearly qualified). Instead, we have a significant road shut down until the next cycle of funding is available.
Has the city searched for funding elsewhere to pay for this historic endeavor?
And then I think about the wonderful people we helped in Puerto Cortez and their plight and I realize just how warped our priorities really are in America. They need clean water and hope.
Ever thought about how far $500 would go in an economy where 20 of their dollars equals one of ours? And just how absurd is it that there probably is some federal sidewalk renovation fund available to help us out while the folks in La Esperanza struggle to exist?
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