Commissioners should support Evergreen sidewalk project

I have lived in the Flathead Valley for almost three decades, and one thing I have learned is that Evergreen is considered by many to be the “ugly stepchild” of the area. People have to try harder and do more with less because they are in this quaint little unincorporated village. By and large they do that and more because of some great, dedicated and hardworking people.

If you have driven in Evergreen you have sen the children. In the summer walking in the grass along the highway and street. In the spring and fall walking in the mud and dirt along the same area. In the winter walking in the road because the snow makes any other path impossible. Doing this while trying to avoid being a hood ornament or a grill decoration on a passing vehicle. And have you seen how some people drive? Please don’t blame it all on the tourists. I have seen vehicles drive at least 70, while 60 is fairly common.

So many people and organizations have worked long and hard to fix an issue that has plagued the area for much longer than I have lived here — the sidewalks or lack thereof. Money has been spent and plans have been made and long hours worked. The seemingly simple idea is children should not have to put their lives at risk daily walking to and from school. Simple— but not for our county commissioners.

This coalition of parents, businesses and civic organizations have done all that has been asked. Walk the line … OK. Balance beam then ... OK. Make it a tightrope … done. Surrounded by a flaming hoop ... right. Do it blindfolded ... got it. While juggling … fine. Well you are hard to dissuade. “Look, it’s a squirrel!”

Finding reasons to not do things is a lot easier than doing them. Anyone can throw up roadblocks, but building a road, or in this case sidewalks, takes effort. I would think our commissioners would want to have a project where the groundwork is all done. Just add the final touch then show up at the ribbon cutting later.

Nothing should be more important than our children’s safety. The buck has been passed too many times. The roads are busier and busier. We had one school accident in the valley recently which has led the state to pass a new law, and we don’t need another one. We have been lucky so far.

Get behind this and fix the issue. If you don’t, no amount of misdirection will help you come re-election time. “I’m against Evergreen kids” is not a good campaign slogan.

Do the right thing for once without checking to see which direction the political winds are blowing. Our children deserve no less.

—Jefferson Oxford, Evergreen