Janesville Council Finally Walking The Walk

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I was surprised to see so many people turn out against sidewalks in their own front yard. Where were all these people last year when the Janesville City Council gave away $2.7 million to build a water tower utility to service the special terrain and elevations of a privately funded residential development? The water tower funding was an issue unlike the sidewalk ordinance, where people could have made a difference by speaking out. One way or another, we have all paid for our own water utility and the sidewalk laying in front of our home.

JG Excerpt:
The city will borrow about $569,000 to pay for sidewalks, which will mostly be assessed to property owners at no more than $30 a foot. Of the 7.6 miles, developers already have paid for 2.6 miles. The city sent notices to 280 residents. The average assessment was $2,580, and the resident can pay in installments.

Just to put this in perspective, the $2.7 million water tower hand-out would've bought 17 miles of sidewalks at $30 a foot.

I can’t imagine the chaos if the council turned around and said everybody will pitch in to pay for the remaining sidewalks, including those who already paid in full for the existing walks in front of their house. Crazy idea, right? But that is exactly what they did regarding the water tower and no one said a word. The existing residents who have already paid for and into the infrastructure and maintenance of the Janesville Water Utility will be charged $2.7 million more simply because a deep pocketed developer wants to make more money building some homes. Like sidewalks, a specialized utility like a water tower should have been a special assessment. At least with the sidewalks though, unlike the water tower, we can walk all over them if we so desire.

Oddly enough, many reasons given in opposition to the sidewalks were actually testaments in favor of them. But the council is finally doing something right on the sidewalks by standing firm and it can’t be said any clearer than this quote from Councilmen Williams. “Just to let you know, if you live in the city, sooner or later you’re going to have sidewalks,” he said.

Aa - oh, I can see it now. Those special folks who were never part of the city fabric to begin with certainly don’t want to be part of one now. There goes the neighborhood.