09/17/2008: "Council Wants A Crosswalk"

The County Council and the County Auditor do not agree that a new marked crosswalk is needed to connect the courthouse and the new legislative building.

Speaking as a private citizen, the SJC Auditor took advantage of the Public Access slot on the CC agenda to tell the Council that “As a resident and property owner concerned about the loss of a parking spaces in town; of which there has been many in recent years” she opposed the Council’s decision to request the new crosswalk.

“To lose three parking spaces to a cross-walk that will seldom be used” is not a good idea she said.

Councilman Gene Knapp responded by stating that while he had great respect for Henley’s opinions, he believed “she is dead wrong on this one; I think we are inviting the public to violate the law, and if one of our employees gets hit, I think the County is responsible and the Town is responsible.”

While the County and the Town do not have a law against “jaywalking”, Knapp -a former County Prosecuting Attorney- said it is against state law to cross the street outside designated crossing areas.

Knapp added that the area is a cross walk, even if it is not marked; but later said “if you’re a foot out of a cross walk, your responsible.”

Councilman Rich Peterson asked where does the Town draw the line in town if every ”intersection is a crosswalk” even if it is not marked as one.

Councilman Bob Myhr reminded the Council they had already reached a consensus that “we should have a crosswalk (marked) between the courthouse and the legislative building” and that the “loss of a life is not worth the loss of a couple of parking spaces.”

The Town Council will discuss the County Council request letter on Thursday, and decide what, if anything, to do about the formal request from the County Council