Hello everyone;
Just wanted to acknowledge that I see more,and more people walking; some to trim a few pounds, some for their heart, and some because it is a cheaper and healthier way of transportation. And I see a crazy lady riding her bike to work every morning if it is going to be nice, and she calls me if it happens to rain so I can come pick her up.

But, lets take a closer look at what we have in front of us, with this trend and in these times.

If we the citizens of Mena were to decide to put sidewalks down every street in Mena, then perhaps more would walk because it would be safer. The positive side to this?
1. If done properly this project could put some of the locals, that currently have no job, to work!
2. If the sidewalks were a bit wider and better organized then perhaps some of these wonderful couples I see walking everyday, could walk side by side, and actually hold hands, as I see one elderly couple do; it does my heart good to see things like this!
3. If more people walk then the trend might also extend to the point as to cause a spirit of involvement within our very midst.
4. Of course in some areas hit by the tornado now is the time to really apply some good cosmetic attributes and useful road ammenities such as sidewalks instead of having to walk down the street.
5. If we use unemployed locals we give them jobs, which by the way could be funded by an alternate source, and it gives them experience toward a new career possibly.
6. Then there is that idea of why we are doing this to run new underground electricity for new (maybe later) street lighting and computer opperation of said systems. And if the new stuff is next to or under the sidewalks then we know where it is and its terminations.
7. And for those that have this affinity for trying to attract new people to the area; this is a major attribute to the streets and to the houses they frame!

Oh, I have a hundred ideas like this one, but are the people ready for what serves them, or do they care at all? The sidewalks serve the people of this area, now; Poor and rich alike, and it should be done in a block by block manner with all being exactly the same, not preferential treatment as are in most of our ammenities.

take care of each other folks, for today's foe might just be your saviour tomorrow.
Do you people have any idea how many people look down their nose at me when I drive by in my old beat-up truck? I even had one man brave enough to voice his opinion (for which I commend him) and I gave him my opinion back. That is how things are done in America folks; not making wild useless laws to force people to live as you think they should live, that is not what made America the Greatest Nation on earth. For the person you force to change by a stupid law might not have the means to change the way you want them to, and they may really want to be more like you and have no means to do so; Ever thought of that?
But, the sidewalks will healp and give pride to us all;;;;; If done right???

I'll go for that. :thumb:

Welcome to the Mena Forum, nuttyprofessor! Like this idea of yours. Implementation seems to be the bridge most around here have been reluctant to cross.

while we're all a bit tipsy with the new idea how 'bout throwing out the idea of bike lanes and seeing how far it floats ?

How much more in taxes are you willing to pay, to fund this project? :whistle:

All very good responses! AND remember one thing I neglected to add to the original part of the post; The sidewalks do more than offer a FREE place to be; as I stated they when properly done "Frame our houses" thusly giving them more value and more exposure, but more than that they offer a bit of Pride to us and to the home owner, and is that not the best way to spur pride in one's own yard and in the look of their property. Read your History, cities have been passing ignorant, stupid laws and ordinances for decades and they accomplish squat but hatred; Well they do generate Revenues on the poor people's backs. And is it not these people that need help and Pride in their lot?
First of all to fund the sidewalks: many avenues here;
1. raise local taxes, NO one would care for this uless it was truly the last avenue, and then the rule would have to be better worded than any of the previous and scandulous tax programs Mena has had.

2. Direct donations, Companies, Grants, govt. Think people think

3. The city has a lot of avenues they haven't even considered, and with help from the state and higher we could get training money to train people, for a job, and the city provides the guidance and the machinery, and they might just find good people that way?