Ask The Answer Person: "Do all Decorah City Council members live in houses with sidewalks?"

Julie e-mails: "Do all of the City Council members have sidewalks in good repair in front of the properties they own?  What's good for the goose, is good for the gander."

The Answer Person says: "Second Ward Councilperson Dan Bellrichard, Third Ward Councilperson Andy Carlson, Fourth Ward Councilperson Steve Luse and At Large councilpersons Kirk Johnson and Ross Hadley all live in houses with sidewalks in front.  First Ward Councilperson Randy Schissel and Fifth Ward Councilperson Johanna Bergan do not have sidewalks in front of their houses.

However, it's important to point out neither one of them is avoiding complying with city rules.  The sidewalk program being rolled out by the City of Decorah is a five-year program, with neighborhoods required to install sidewalks based on which zone they're in.  Both Schissel and Bergan are living outside of the first zone, the zone closest to City Hall, where sidewalks are being required (see map).