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

[david sarff]

Hi Sunil, Linda...
Yes, just a little more push is the practical thing to do and would go a 
long way. I agree that it is the property owners duty.
Still, I wonder what the legal difference is between the two right of ways. 
Streets and sidewalks. If they are the same. That strikes me as unequal 
balance.
Dave

>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,
> >
>
>
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