Sudbury residents oppose sidewalks: 'Waste of time and money'

Some people living on a quiet, dead-end street in Sudbury, Ont., are opposing plans to install sidewalks in their neighbourhood.

"We think it's a waste of time and money," Grenoble Court homeownerRobert Demoresaid."The sidewalks, to us, are really not something viable."

Demore cites maintenance costs and safety concerns as the main reasons why he and his neighbours are against the installation, due to go ahead this month.

"A lot of the sidewalks in this town ... are all uneven. So they [neighbours] would rather walk in this court," he said.

"The one sidewalk coming into the subdivision that's been there for 20 years hasn't been plowed in at least five or 10."

Demore has collected more than two dozen petition signatures from his neighbours to change city council's mind.

Councillorwants installment to go ahead

But the wardcouncillor, Al Sizer, hopes the installation will proceed.

"The residents don't want them, but the characteristics of the neighbourhood will change," Sizer said.

"Once those sidewalks are installed, they will hook up with a network that will allow people to walk safely to many parts of the city,all the way down Lasalle Boulevard. So it is important."

Still, Demoresays hefeels "let down."

He is also worried about property taxes increasing, but Sizer insists that will not happen.

"The installation of these sidewalks is, of course, at no cost to the city," Sizer said.

"This is an agreement with the contractor and he will be bearing the cost of the installation."

Demore thinks the money that will be spent to build the new walkways should be used on something more important.

He and his neighbours wanted to be invited to a city council meeting toaddress their issues.

So far, they claim theyhave not been invited.