(Spirit Lake)– If a public meeting Tuesday evening is any indication, any efforts to put in sidewalks in areas of Spirit Lake that don’t already have them will be met with opposition.
About 40 people attended the meeting that lasted all of 20 minutes.
Among those speaking out against sidewalks was Ted Klein who lives on Ithaca Avenue. He says a number of trees would have to be cut down in his neighborhood to accomodate sidewalks.
Dick Ayres lives in Nodland’s Addition. He says a sidewalk at his place would literally come up to his doorstep. And Ayres says there are a lot of unanswered questions, such as who would pay for them and maintain them.
The only person speaking out in favor of sidewalks was Jackie Olson. She sited safety concerns over children walking and playing in streets.
But Ayres doubts sidewalks would change that much. He says kids will still take shortcuts and play in the streets, even if there are sidewalks.
The Spirit Lake city council gave no indication Tuesday as to when they might take up the sidewalk issue.
