[MidwesternMom]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('heartandseoul', 'I') am a runner and you know what I wish we had?

Sidewalks.

Yes, the sidewalk would be wonderful. We could do the following without feeling like we're going to be run down by a bunch of screaming, cursing hicks in a pickup (which almost happened to me while running one morning):


These days, to walk anywhere is to take your life in your hands.

.

[Canuk]

In many cities the sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owner for building and maintenance. In Allentown, PA my Mother had to repair a section of the sidewalk a tree heaved at her expense. When I lived in Auburn NY I remember a homeowner having to replace an asphalt sidewalk he had installed since it did not meet code - he had tried to save some cash instead of concrete. It seems that if enough town residents want a sidewalk you can have it added to the bylaws or zoning and they will be forced to install them.

Alternately you could take the approach we have in Ontario where the City or Town builds the sidewalks and repairs or replaces them. Increase in property tax but spreads the cost over more years and more evenly over the property tax base.

Contact your alderman or councilperson and see about the change - what can it hurt...