Bouska will prevent Seventh Ave. disaster

I will be voting for Allen “Snooks” Bouska for Marion mayor.

As a seven-year resident of Marion, I enjoy the many different shops and services in such a close radius. Hardware stores, thrift stores, banks, fast food restaurants, diners, gas stations, spaghetti houses, jewelry stores, hair salons, pizza chains and ice cream shops all on a stretch of Seventh Avenue between Seventh Street to 31st Street. It's great to have so many services without having to travel to Cedar Rapids.

Under the proposed central corridor project supported by Nick Glew and City Council, many of these businesses would be drastically affected by the loss of traffic flow and would eventually leave. At the west end, a Seventh Avenue roundabout would limit entry to businesses and slow traffic down to 15 mph. Today, traffic flows at 35 mph.

In July, Marion City Council approved an $829,264 contract with Anderson-Bogert for engineering services related to the central corridor plan. I find it hard to believe Glew would be an objective voice of the people when he is a full-time employee for Anderson-Bogert.

Snooks is the 20-year Marion Dairy Queen owner who has campaigned not to impede Seventh Avenue with roundabouts or threaten businesses that make Marion such a convenient place to live.

Mike Dricken

Marion