Anne Burton: Vote was on roads and sidewalks, not schools

Regarding the Nov. 21 Gazette story “Council Rejects $1M for sidewalk and road repairs,” why would six members of the Town Council assume a competition between school funding and safe sidewalks and roads? Both need funding. Safety — maintenance of sidewalks and roads — should not be an either/or issue. And, the need for adequate funding of our schools is obvious.

For the sake of discussion, let’s examine an argument in favor of funding sidewalk and road repairs over funding elementary education in Amherst. The aging population is growing, while the population of children is decreasing. The aging population, along with the population of disabled non-drivers, particularly need safe sidewalks.

Anyone walking around town must cross dangerously marred pavement. This past July, my husband attempted to cross the pavement-pitted crosswalk at North Pleasant and Amity streets, caught his toe in a hole and broke his hip! Yet, I don’t believe that his pain and the expense of his care should diminish school funding. Pedestrians have a right to expect safe footing at crosswalks, just as parents should expect adequate funding for their children’s schools. The needs are not mutually exclusive.

I am, therefore, dismayed that setting aside funding for the long-delayed maintenance of sidewalks and roads should be defeated because schools also require a funding commitment. School funding was not what was being proposed. The vote was on the transfer of funds to improve town sidewalks and roads. Did the councilors who voted against this believe that the roads and sidewalks do not deserve this appropriation? Yes or no? The proposal was not about school funding OR safe sidewalks and roads.

Anne Burton

Amherst