Here it is two weeks into the New Year and the sidewalks on Cooks Hill Road and Mellen Street are still in the same shape they were last year.
I was told in the fall by the City of Centralia’s street, stormwater and fleet operations manager that a contract had been issued to repair the sidewalks, but he has no control over the time and scheduling of these repairs.
I thought at the time it was kind of strange that the person in charge of these facilities might have a little control over a multi-million dollar contract, but what do I know? I’m just a civilian who was injured, severely, by damaged sidewalks, damage I might add, that was caused by city employees.
I note, however, that the sidewalks on Alder Street and Mellen Street are being repaired even though millions have already been expended to “beautify” the approaches to downtown Centralia.
Sorry, folks. Although the streets may be pretty, unless the rest of the approaches — including the buildings along the approaches — are “beautified,” it will remain the same old approach.
My question to the city is, when will the damaged, unsafe sidewalks and streets that are in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act going to be repaired?
James E. Howe
Centralia
