To the Editor:

I may have been a bit off base with my last letter about CMU and parking. It has come to my attention that the intent is make a wider sidewalk. First of all, I don’t understand the need for a wider sidewalk at the expense of destroying trees. There are not hundreds of pedestrians using it at the same time, there probably aren’t tens of pedestrians using it at same time, unless there are a lot people in town during Band Day and special occasions and they have been able to navigate just fine. The only hazardous situation I can see for pedestrians is the parking along Church Street. I am always concerned about people (especially children) walking between parked cars to cross the street.

I realize on special occasions and Sunday’s it may be necessary to allow parking along the street.

Here’s an idea: DON’T ALLOW DAILY PARKING THERE!!

If CMU wants a wider sidewalk, how about widening it on the other side toward the campus, not the street. An email was shared with me that states the following in part.

“This grant application can not address the need to widen or repair the street. Our master-plan consultants have recommended moving the street curb over 4-5 feet so those trying to park off the main street are not up on the curb in the grass and making ruts. Again, this is not in this sidewalk grant phase but is a long term goal.”

I suppose the University wants to cut down trees to make a wider sidewalk, then in the future tear that up to make the road wider? I’m not sure I understand this way of thinking.

Ronda Gerlt