District won’t repair sidewalk because it has more important things to do

A local citizen’s long-standing complaint about potholes on a Dentville sidewalk will not be resolved due to more pressing infrastructure priorities.

“For the past two years I have come to complain about work that has not been completed properly from a contractor replacing sidewalks in front of my residence,” the citizen wrote to the district.

“The sidewalk was poured low which when it rains the whole sidewalk is washed out not to mention an ankle breaking hazard because the sidewalk was not properly leveled with the gravel. Two weeks ago, shouldering was to completed, nothing was done! There is still pot holes,” the citizen wrote.

Gary Buxton, the general manager of community planning and infrastructure, said while the sidewalk section was a little lower than ideal, it was functional and met quality standards.

“Elevating the section would be expensive and to be honest there would be more pressing priorities with respect to our sidewalks,” he said.

“Similarly, with respect to the shoulder, the opinion of our staff is that we have more pressing sections of shoulder and road that are in need of attention, and that its current condition is adequate.”

Buxton said the only fix would be to install a catch basin in the shoulder, and tying it into the 18” storm main on Buckley, but that would be a significant cost.

“In short, while both are not perfect, neither rises to the level that we would consider them in need of immediate attention, above other priorities we have at present.”