Kudos to the City for arranging to have a contractor available to collaborate with property owners on sidewalk repairs. Next what we need to do is get past this terribly automobile-centric situation that has roadways entirely in the public domain while walkways are in this weird public-private state.

As noted in the March 21 Arcata Eye article, this situation is common across the country. Arcata should lead the way in making walkways entirely a public responsibility. Either that, or make each property owner responsible for the portion of roadway in front of their property as well! It's interesting how unthinkable that is, yet we passively accept that property owners should be responsible for sidewalks. It's time to give pedestrian infrastructure the respect it deserves.

Meanwhile any and all sidewalk repairs, upgrades or installations should provide a wide, level walkway that is free of "fixed hazardous objects" (signposts, fire hydrants, utility poles, mailboxes, etc.) and hazardous driveway dips.

Yours for a safe, pleasant, walkable community,
Nancy Reichard
netgain «at» humboldt1.com