Raves, Rants & Roses

REPLY: This is in response to Doug Thornton's comments on August 5, 2008.

Mr. Thornton's comments about the sidewalks sound like this is coming from a person who never walks. As president of the East Texas Trekkers Walking Club I know from experience that in Tyler unless you are in an old or very new neighborhood there are no sidewalks to walk on.

For many years sidewalks were not required when building newer subdivisions. I believe sidewalks are now required. Usually in a city the property owner is required to share the cost of sidewalks. Regardless of who is paying for them, sidewalks keep walkers safe and out of the road where cars are traveling.

You may not park free downtown, but you do have sidewalks to walk on to keep you safe and out of harms way from the road traffic.

On another thought, there needs to be pedestrian crossing buttons to change the light at all intersections on Loop 323. I walk from my house by Crown Motors to my doctor's office on Golden Road. You are taking your life into your hands trying to cross the loop. There is no pedestrian crossing there or anywhere nearby.

Another issue is no sidewalks from Crown Motors to the new Wal-Mart. People walk from the apartments on Troup Highway. Check out the path in the grass. Sidewalks should be installed for the safety of these walkers.

So you see, Mr. Thornton, there are many, many people walking in Tyler. Tyler just needs to provide more sidewalks for its citizens.

Jan Wood
Tyler