Speaking Up In The City
I wrote my first ever personal letter to an elected representative today. It’s not exactly earth-shattering stuff but definitely worthy of a blog entry. For your reading pleasure, here is my note to my councillor of HRM District 12, Dawn Sloane.
Councillor Sloane,
I am a resident of your district and live at 1343 Barrington Street. Over the last few years I have consciously made lifestyle choices that have allowed me to be a more environmentally friendly citizen and to live without a car. Each day, I walk to my office at the Bank of Montreal building where I am a software developer for Quest Software. Needless to say, this is a very pleasant and short commute, usually along Hollis Street which is the most direct route.
Unfortunately, for the second year in a row, there is no safe (or legal) way for a pedestrian to walk down Hollis Street between Bishop and Salter Street. Both sidewalks are closed due to construction. This is one of many impediments to pedestrian traffic in the downtown core. While it is a minor inconvenience for me, I believe it is especially dangerous as we head into tourist season.
When local bar and restaurant owners shut down a sidewalk, they are required to provide for an alternate pedestrian right-of-way. I’m sure there are exceptions but, for the most part, I would expect construction companies would be in an even better position to construct a temporary sidewalk when their work spills into the street for long periods of time.
I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this.
Best regards,
Brent Rockwood
I will post her response here if I get one.
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