[Vision2020] Will the People of Moscow -- and the City --Listen? Sidewalks m

[Sunil Ramalingam]

Linda,

As a defense attorney, it usually goes against my nature to encourage 
enforcement or prosecution, but I would like to see some attention given to 
this issue by the Moscow Police Department.

If half the attention were given to this as is to prosecuting minors in 
possession or consuming alcohol, our sidewalks would be far safer.  I think 
icy sidewalks pose a regular hazard to Moscow's residents and visitors.  I 
certainly commend you for your attention to your own sidewalks, something 
I've often seen and appreciated on my fall and winter strolls to the Corner 
Club to watch Steeler games...

And we wouldn't necessarily have to prosecute folks; I think most people 
would respond to warnings about their sidewalks.

Sunil


>From: "Linda Pall" <lpall at moscow.com>
>To: "Saundra Lund" <sslund at roadrunner.com>,        "'vision2020'" 
><vision2020 at moscow.com>
>CC: bstout at ci.moscow.id.us, aaronament at moscow.com, 
>blambert at ci.moscow.id.us,        nchaney at ci.moscow.id.us, sears at moscow.com, 
>        "'Lois Blackburn'" <lblackburn at turbonet.com>
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Will the People of Moscow -- and the City 
>--Listen? Sidewalks must be kept clear
>Date: Sat, 24 Feb 2007 12:58:40 -0800
>
>Dear Saundra and Visionaries,
>
>Since the letter Lois wrote to me arrived at my e-mail in-box at 10:03 
>A.M.,
>I was in my office Friday morning and replied at 11:40 A.M..  I'm sure the
>editorial page of the Friday Daily News had probably been put to bed the 
>day
>before. I think the agendas showing this as a topic of consideration for
>Monday's 4:30 P.M. Public Works/Finance Committee meeting came out around
>4:30 P.M. Friday afternoon. (I will be in Missoula on business Monday but
>John Weber will chair the meeting and you and everyone are welcome to be
>part of this discussion!) I go into all of this to try to illustrate that
>one city council member is looking to welcome citizen comment on this 
>vexing
>matter and believes that we are talking about it improving the system.
>
>The basic reality is that, outside of serious criminal laws, most of our
>local and state laws are enforced on a complaint-basis. And even some of
>those criminal laws on the books are not the subject of regular enforcement
>actions by the contabulary. Lewd cohabitation (living with someone without
>benefit of clergy) used to be on the statute books in Idaho and perhaps
>still is, though I could not find it is a quick search of the Moroccan 
>bound
>volumes in my office. I do not recall any Latah County prosecutor in my 34
>years of life in Idaho prosecuting someone under that statute...
>
>Saundra, see my response to Lois below and try to come to the PWF Committee
>meeting Monday afternoon or tune in on cable if you have it. The Mayor and
>Council are concerned about this and realize how dangerous sidewalks can
>cause terrible consequences for anyone but especially for those already 
>with
>infirmaties. I am a prime example of one who is concerned about this, "up
>close and personal!" I try to have my walks maintained during the winter 
>and
>deeply appreciate those who do.
>
>We are all REALLY trying to do the right thing by the citizens of Moscow...
>
>All the best to you, Saundra, and to the collected Visionaries,
>
>Linda Pall
>Moscow City Council
>
>BELOW IS LINDA'S RESPONSE (11:40 AM, 2/23/07) TO LOIS BLACKBURN'S E-MAIL
>(10:03 AM, 2/23/07):
>
>Dear Lois (I'm going informal no matter what here...),
>
>Thanks for your e-mail. Please be advised that I have asked that the
>discussion of enforcement of our existing city ordinances and other citizen
>and council ideas regrading this truly important matter be on the Public
>Works/Finance Agenda on the Monday, February 26, meeting at 4:30 P.M. in 
>the
>COuncil Chambers. Kit Craine has developed a proposal that is more 
>assertive
>than the city's current enforcement stance which relies primarily on
>citizen-initiated complaints.
>
>We should certainly address the question of winter access to our streets 
>and
>sidewalks for people with disabilities as well as those without.
>
>We welcome your comments and proposals for discussion Monday (and by letter
>or any other means you would like to involve us!). As you are aware, there
>is a lot of competition for city funds and our efforts often have to 
>balance
>various interests. I hope to see a balanced, affordable approach proposed.
>
>I am unable to attend Monday's meeting (and the one on March 12) because of
>business commitments out of town.
>
>I think you will find Kit's proposal very dehlpful to the discussion. 
>Thanks
>for ewriting.
>
>Sincerely,
>