[MissoulaGov] Committee Update 9-30-09 Bikes on Sidewalks

[Paradigm1 at aol.com]

I also appreciate the hard work done by our City Council. However,  I do 
agree with Mr. Grays comments regarding where energy seems  to be focused or 
mis-focused lately. Missoula has already watched  Stimson go under, Stone 
Container hanging on by a thread, a record number of  Montanan's living in 
poverty, many empty storefronts and offices. Blighted and  vacant areas along 
Brooks and Broadway etc. Yet Council seems to be more  interested in dealing 
with our behavioral issues as they relate to walking the  dog, talking on the 
phone, architectural looks, wearing helmets, riding your  bike etc... and 
who knows what else. 
 
Most Missoulian's will continue to make wise and  courteous choices in 
these areas, and the few that don't will not be  aware of these new rules, or 
follow them anyway. I would love to read about new  ideas and programs from 
Council that relate to invigorating Missoula's  economy and job climate, 
rather than the next wave of behavioral ordinances. 
 
Carl Posewitz, Ward 3 and Ward 1
 
 
 

 
 
In a message dated 10/4/2009 10:19:51 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,  
hdgray at modwest.com writes:

 
David, 
Thank  you for the update on the bike topic.  My children are out of 
training  wheels but I still would not want to see them only allowed on the  
street.  At age 10 and younger they still make a great deal of poor  decisions. 
When it comes to a game of tag between a car and a bike the car  will always 
win.  I would like to see the city council allow bikes all  the right of 
pedestrians when they are on sidewalks as the state law dictates  and devote 
educational dollars providing courtesy training to bike riders on  sidewalks 
and traffic law training for streets riders. 
On  the other topic I have seen the amount of time the Council members 
spend on  issues and I am grateful for the work that they do and the business 
that gets  accomplished.  My concern is that it appears that a great deal of 
time  and energy lately has been put into cell phone ordinances, banning 
homeless  from the downtown, discussing the appropriate locations for bike 
traffic and  creating more rules for the citizens of Missoula to live by.  It 
does not  appear that making Missoula “The desired place for new and expanding 
business”  or creating a means that will make Missoula the leader in the 
economic  recovery for our state is being discussed or allocated much time by 
the City  Staff and Council.  It would be refreshing to see the full power 
and time  of the city staff and Council on this issue so it was making the 
news each  week.  From my perspective these topics have been a black hole of 
effort  by our government and body of leaders.  This may be an incorrect view 
but  it has not been getting much press coverage if it is occurring. As the 
Chair  of the Public Safety and Health I am sure you have a great deal of 
influence  on what could benefit Missoula’s citizens Health Care expenditures 
and still  make sure our Medical industry is vibrant and growing.  That 
would be a  nice change in priority focus at this time or an issue worth 
allocating more  time to. Maybe issues that are not life threatening, not taxable 
and do not  create increases or stabilize the citizens’ revenue generation 
could take a  back seat for a while. 
Sincerely, 
David  V.  Gray


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