Letter to The Editor: Old Bonhomme Road Project in The Works Before Residents Consulted

Dear Editor,

Concerning "Resident Says City Official Threatened Condemnation on Old Bonhomme Project": If you are going to cover local government you should be familiar with the eminent domain process. I wasn't present so I don't know what Mr. Gartenberg said or didn't say to Barbara Minton. However, it is an established fact that when government decides to take your property or a piece of your property for public use and you refuse to cooperate, then they typically declare the property or piece of property "blighted" and take it. Mr. Gartenberg (Olivette's Public Services Director) is almost certainly aware of this and, in my opinion, he should have explained it to both Barbara Minton and your reporter.

See: http://www.eminentdomain.mo.gov/faq.htm

You previously reported: "Gartenberg stated that with the federal grant comes the stipulation that five-foot sidewalks are a requirement." Either your reporter got the story wrong or Mr. Gartenberg made a statement he should have known was inaccurate. At the meeting this last Tuesday night the City Council acknowledged that there is no such federal requirement. In fact, Mr. Gartenberg admitted that the original grant request specified 4 foot sidewalks (which he characterized as an "error"). We are now told that five foot wide sidewalks are needed so that people in wheelchairs or on crutches can safely pass each other. Though the Americans with Disabilities Act provides an alternative solution that some residents have already said they would support, the City Council appears unwilling to compromise.

Finally, in "Resident's Opposition to Old Bonhomme Road Rebuild is Mounting" you reported: "Despite the fact that Olivette has been planning to rebuild the entire stretch of Old Bonhomme Road from the University City limits to Olive Street Road for almost two years, and has dialogued often at the council level; done a post card mailer, held a public engagement session and included information on the city’s website and released information several times to the media, there are some who believe this whole project is being done under the cover of night."

I don't know anyone who believes the "whole project is being done under the cover of night." However, dozens of Old Bonhomme Road residents do feel that their needs and concerns are being ignored. Many of us are left feeling that the City Council conducted public hearings merely so that they could say that we were given the opportunity to express our views. Last Tuesday night residents were once again given an opportunity to speak. The meeting was well attended and roughly three-quarters of the speakers opposed the five foot wide sidewalks. Mayor Waldman responded by saying that people in government know things that others do not know. The Council then discussed how to proceed with taking property for the project.

The problem is not that the project is being conducted in secret; the problem is that the City Council made up its mind before consulting residents.

Sincerely,

Ira Brodsky
9220 Old Bonhomme Road
Olivette, MO