Better uses for taxes than a roundabout

When I sat in on a city council meeting held to encourage votes for

1 cent sales tax increase, the council welcomed ideas to provide a plan to get people on the Seventh Avenue corridor. City council members, were you just asking the question to encourage residents to vote yes on the sales tax increase?

I ask this now as you are publicly contemplating closing Seventh Avenue from 10th Street to 17th Street with a roundabout at the end. To alleviate the traffic snafu on Seventh Avenue, why don't you go to the problem with the gridlock? A roundabout on 10th Street and, just as important, Eighth Avenue and 10th Street would alleviate a large problem with traffic movement. This coupled with eliminating the outcropping at the 11th Street mall would allow a much smoother flow.

Our tax dollars would be better spent on improving the city pool and opening a skate park at Thomas Park, both of which would lead to getting our youths off the streets.

Marion residents, sign petitions and go to city council meetings to have your voice heard about this possible faux pas. Many businesses have been on Seventh Avenue since before our council people lived in Marion.

Joe McElligott

Marion