City Council needs to take action

By Ryan Falls

Published: April 26, 2008

The City Council is broken and we need to fix it. How can we do that? Go to the forums and places where you know candidates will be, (The News Virginian keeps us well informed), or call them. Ask them where they stand on the issues that are most important to you. Get the information from the candidate himself and then make an informed decision.
I support Chris Graham in the Ward B race. He has given me the most answers that I can live with. He is skilled in gathering information and will be fair and objective. He has a clear vision of where the city should be heading and is willing to work with others to make it happen.
The issues that are important to me are:
* Decent sidewalks with curb cuts: It would be nice if I can use less Fixodent and get to work with my teeth still in my mouth. Some of our alleys are better than our sidewalks. Check out the four corners in front of city hall.
* Transportation: CATS and the 250 Connector are not serving the residents of Waynesboro. The 250 Connector has all but deserted us by only coming as far into town as to stop at Wal-Mart and Kmart. Even an accessible, fixed-route trolley or van would help our environment, and allow all citizens reasonable access to some type of transportation. We can’t grow without it.
* Stormwater project: Get it done. Every person living in the city should pay for it.
* Downtown: Stop spending money on fancy sidewalks and build partnerships with local entrepreneurs and building owners. Council members need to decide they are behind developing the downtown, state it and stick to it. Turn more of the top floors of these vacant buildings into apartments. If people live there, they will shop there.
The most important part of all this is we need to take control of our city and move it forward. We need to heal our black eye and work together.
Ginger Quillen
Waynesboro