As disappointing and biased as the "Opinion
Letter" is, what is more disappointing is that it
made it to the public without very many questions from Ann Arbor
leadership. It is tossed around as people say "See, this is why we
need the bridges." Did anyone ask for the benefits of eliminating
the bridges? Of the ways to improve safety in residential
neighborhoods by eliminating cut through traffic? Did anyone look at
Stop Lights or Gas Savings associated with a "No Bridge Option"? Did
anyone ask if these bridges are a "Need" instead of a "Want?"
It doesn't look
like anyone did. Hopefully, there aren't any other studies like this
floating around in the City that are also lacking balance. Instead
of "Opinion Letters", which the above most clearly was - an opinion
- how
about someone spend some time investigating all of the facts, and not just
the ones that support one opinion. If it can't be done on a $20
million dollar plus expenditure, when will it be done?
When the City of
Ann Arbor - and rest of the nation - is struggling to keep the basic
services running, then it can't afford to let projects like the East
Stadium Bridge continue just because a "study" exists saying it is needed.
Frankly, someone should study the study to determine why such a biased
opinion was written without any of the alternatives thoughtfully considered or
properly evaluated.
If you agree,
please clink the link below to email the staff at the City of Ann Arbor.
Three minutes of public hearing time is hardly sufficient to get the
message across to the Ann Arbor Leadership - hence the website. Hopefully, we don't
also have to bring in Sarah Palin to stop the Ann Arbor
Bridge to Nowhere.
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