Willow Glen Resident

Letters & Opinions

Speak Out

People aren't using the city's sidewalks

Trevor Graham is correct that people jogging in the streets, and those pushing strollers, are putting themselves and their children in great danger ("People, please use the sidewalk; it's safer," Nov. 21). People drive on the streets at terrifying speeds and are in hurry to get nowhere in particular. However, there are a couple of points that should be clarified.

Many of the sidewalks in the city are in a state of disrepair. My block, which is bounded by Curtner, Cottle, Mayette and Markham avenues, has some truly dangerous sections of sidewalk. A short while back, the city ground down some of these spots. This is Band-Aid procedure, since the tree roots have already pushed the sidewalks back up again. In times past the city sent inspectors to find bad sidewalks. They were marked with paint, and then the homeowner was notified to get it repaired, or else the city would do the job and bill the homeowner. Don't I pay enough taxes to take care of sidewalk inspections?

Also, 99 percent of our city streets are not paved with asphalt. It's a unique mixture of oil and screenings. I say unique because I have never seen it use anywhere else in California. I classify it as garbage. It's a disaster to fall on it, which I have, as it will tear you up like a cheese grater.

Robert L. Smith

Willow Glen