To the Editor: Wheelchair user is upset at condition of BG walks
Written by Michael Stickles   
Wednesday, 01 February 2012 10:36
I am writing this due to a report in the paper Friday night. I was going down against traffic because the sidewalks are ungodly awful in Bowling Green and that section of side walk is costing the city almost $1,000.00 because the home owner did not take care of his sidewalks. And it cost that much to fix my chair.
So I was in the street for the length of two houses then I usually go into the property where Kirians is. So that's why I was traveling against traffic. Fix your sidewalks Bowling Green. Before I became paralyzed I would always think why are those people in the street. Well now I know why, because the sidewalks are awful. So you can stop honking and flipping me off. Fix your mess. I was going against traffic so people can see me. And my chair costs around $26,500 so I take care of it. Thanks for your great sidewalks, Not!
Michael Stickles
Bowling Green
 

Comments  

 
# 2012-02-01 14:07
I too have had problems with that area of sidewalks, they have sunken in and with all the driveways, much of the sidewalks are on a slant, making it difficult for anyone to wheel or walk there. The mess from the trees are no help either, if you try to walk on the other side of the street, good luck, as there is a long distant of sidewalk that has become way over grown from the tenet's disregard of mowing their yard, let alone sweeping the walk.
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# 2012-02-02 10:18
Put a big orange reflector triangle on the back of your chair, then, and go with traffic. Problem solved :)
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# 2012-02-06 11:59
I bet you are one of those people that try to scare the disabled when they do have to ride in the street with their scooter or wheel chair. Signs, and more signs, no one really pays attention to signs! It is hard enough to ride a bike in the streets of BG, let alone be disabled and be expected to ride in the street, FIX THE SIDEWALKS, so everyone is safe.
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# 2012-02-07 11:38
Well Cindi, I was simply trying to provide an alternative to being cited, but I guess you can go ahead and make assumptions about my character for that. Let me know when you find the money to replace all of the sidewalks.
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# 2012-02-02 18:26
On a related note, It is sad to watch parents with strollers and older folks struggle as they try to negotiate crumbling and uneven sidewalks. I cannot count how many times children have tripped on our block on Halloween when leaves cover the danger. We paid to have the concrete replaced in front of our house, but not everyone is willing or able to do so.
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# 2012-02-06 11:55
There are a lot of rental properties in BG that need to have the sidewalks replaced in front of their properties, if the City can not afford to replace them, then, hit up the property owner, it's an accident waiting to happen.
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# 2012-02-07 16:41
What do you mean, "if the City cannot afford to replace them"?
It is not the city responsibility. The property owner is legally responsible to maintain, repair, or replace the public walk in front of his property. (except in certain instances, such as the downtown shopping district.)
The city does have the responsibility to investigate complaints against property owners for unusable sidewalks, and to force the owner to do the right thing.
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# 2012-02-07 16:36
It is the home owners responsibility to maintain, repair, or replace the walk in front of his house. If there is a known tripping hazard, and someone is seriously injured from it, then the home owner is responsible for the medical costs.
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# 2012-02-17 15:14
I know a lot of rental properties in B.G. have poor side walks. I have contacted several, and they all say it is up to the City to replace the sidewalks, which is it? City or property owners? Since police ticket a car if it is parked over the sidewalk, who is responsible for the bad sidewalks, why aren't the properties with bad side walks not ticketed?
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# 2012-02-13 16:28
I know! And also keep them clear of snow and ice! As an able bodied person, I even find it difficult to walk in this town when lazy renters and/or homeowners don't bother to clear their walks. And that includes where it meets the street at an intersection.
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# 2012-02-16 11:45
The state of sidewalks in this town is SHAMEFUL! No one in a wheelchair should have to get into the street! That's just wrong. Those property owners not maintaining their walks: SHAME ON YOU!! It's part of homeownership - if you can't afford it, move into an apartment or sell your giant tv or another unnecessary luxury you probably have!
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