More discussions about new sidewalks in Decorah

The latest Open House held by the City of Decorah to explain plans for new sidewalks in the Bruening Addition and along Linden Street drew a crowd of around 50 people Tuesday evening.  City officials tried to explain their reasons for installing sidewalks, while property owners spoke of the financial burden the tax assessments for the project would have on them.

Decorah resident Ron Gesme, who lives on Linden Street, was to the point in his comment: "We don't need these sidewalks."  Gesme said that in addition to the cost of the sidewalks, he's worried that if the sidewalks are installed and become icy during the winter and somebody fell on them, the property owner would be sued for not maintaining the sidewalk, even if city plows had just pushed the icy snow onto the sidewalks.

City Administrator Chad Bird said the open houses have been held to get comments from the public about the sidewalk projects.  He stressed that the projects are "not finalized."

Walnut Street resident Scott Rutman and nearby neighbor Kelly Sharp both stressed to city officials the impact the tax assessments would have on them.  Sharp said she and her husband are Luther College employees who have been affected by the college's wage freeze.  Rutman said the financial burden of paying the property owner's share of the sidewalk project would "be a major issue."