Erskine sidewalk plan comes with forced cost

Recently, several residents in the Erskine School neighborhood received certified letters from the city clerk. The letter outlined an improvement plan to provide sidewalks for the safety of children attending Erskine School. We are not against the plan for safety. We oppose the cost to the property owners.

The estimated assessment for our sidewalk is close to $1,600 with possible loss of trees. We will have the option to pay for it over a period of 10 years with interest. Once it's in place, will our property taxes increase?

In the economic times we are experiencing, let's resolve the issues due to the flood of 2008. We as citizens voted for the option sales tax to help the city with buyouts. At least we were given the choice to vote on that issue. The implementation of sidewalks seems as if we are being railroaded into a plan we do not approve of. Look at other options for safety's sake.

Perhaps if Erskine gave up a soccer field for a parking lot and posted a crossing guard at the corner of 36th and Clark Road, the children would be safer.

Becky and Mark O'Connell

Cedar Rapids