Oh, it will never be dead. The city engineer assured us of that. With plans for a new subdivision to the south of the school still in the works, it is just a matter of time before the city comes in and just does the street. Believe me, I will have the biggest grin on my face as the naysayers get their bills for 100% of the assessment instead of 12.5%. Thank you to each and every one who has contributed ideas, encouragment, and especially laughs during this ordeal. You guys are the best!!

I am sorry to hear that things are not going as you had hoped. Please try not to give up sometimes the smallest things can change the biggest battles.(New Mayor) maybe you should run! [img]smile.gif[/img]

If it is possible can your parent group start picketing at the local post office or some public place like that. I know it sounds weird, especially now, but you need to bring more attention to the problem. Write an opinion for that local paper that does not seem to want to here your issue. Have your local radio station do a PR announcement on the issue. Alot of small local radio stations around here do them for free. Put up a sign that states how many close calls because of this issue on the road in question and find a place in town that will allow you to put up a sign on a main street. Everytime there is a close call change the number.

Let it be one of those unding irritating things like the lint on your black pants that never seems to go away. Someone will listen!

Keep up the fight! I know that it is hard to keep motivated when all that you have is negative answers, but you are doing the right thing and I would hate to see any school quit such a fight. If I had the money I would just give it to you and have my road issue taken care of as well. I know that it gets harder each time and some parents may feel its a lost cause, but if you quit now the city will feel like they no longer will have to be concerned with this issue.

I am two years into a battle with a main road that has an s type curve speed limit 60mph and the dirt road I live on leads to it only, With a good 9ft hillside that blocks any view on the road to the left past 35-50feet. (keep in mind that I live just a couple of mile from my son's school. Lots of busses pass on this road.)I am not going to give up until that hillside is gone. I just received word today that they are finally going to have a city engineer out to see what how big of job it will be. I am hopeful but not assured yet. I just know that I can not give up for my famlies saftey as well as my neighbors even though they have given up the fight, because to many school buses use this road, and oneday it will be my little boy pulling out on that road. I will not let them win! Why do towns and cities think that landscaping roads and make the town more appealing I will never know, but I will still be there in their face as long as it takes to have this hillside taken care of.

Keep up the Fight! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Yeah!! Waht KC said!! Hey bring the dog, too!!! I will give you this, you are your display name!!!! Tina

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Well, it looks like it's over. <hr></blockquote>

Dang! I really thought you were going to get it.

I'm sure it is a tremendous disappointment to you. You've put a lot of work into this project, and you got so very close. But even if you did not get what you hoped for, it was not all a wasted effort. Remember that you also told us...

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>One good thing that has come of this adventure is that the work session held the other night between the city and school board was the first time the two entities have sat down together and discussed what the other was doing and looked for ways to share costs and plan together.<hr></blockquote>

You've made your community a better place through your efforts. Remember that as you walk past the homes of the refuseniks...dodging passing school buses.

...and then spit in their yards... [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Well, it looks like it's over. The property owners got their letter from the city. The people who had been out of town called and said "No.", and one other person called and asked questions but never decided. The city manager asked if I would try to contact them again. I called and of course got no answer-left a detailed message with home and work numbers and heard NOTHING. Yesterday was the last day to respond so the issue is now dead. With the budget problems the money will be sucked into another program. I'm so disappointed for the kids. I'll keep sending my kids on their alternative walking route and pray for the safety of the children who walk that street each day. Thanks for letting me vent on this issue and for all the words of encouragment and support.

Carole

UPDATE!
We got 52.4%----then one owner backed out because he felt he should talk with his neighbor about it because they've been neighbors for so long. His neighbor is a greedy self-centered... and won't sign even though his young daughter has to walk to school each day(except for the days his wife drives her the 1/2 block in their Lexus). The school board and city council held a work session this week to discuss mutual issues and the school board requested that the city waive the 50% rule. The council said they couldn't because that was established policy and could cause all kinds of problems(like a lawsuit if a child gets hurt won't cause problems?). The city council decided though that they would now lead the charge. The council members will draft a letter that will go out to each property owner explaining the whole process, costs, etc. and strongly encourage them to accept the assessment offer. They are hoping that by sending something "official" from the city that states that the offer put forth currently is the BEST there will be and that if property owners wait too long not only could that offer disappear, but the money could completely disappear into another area of their budget. All we need is ONE additional property owner to step up to the plate and sign.
Last night I gave the board a breakdown of who signed and who didn't. They were very upset that three property owners who own businesses in this community and have more money than most would refuse to help. We all vowed to do NO business with these people.
One good thing that has come of this adventure is that the work session held the other night between the city and school board was the first time the two entities have sat down together and discussed what the other was doing and looked for ways to share costs and plan together. This street issue is what opened the door for that meeting of the minds. So maybe the future for our town and school is a little brighter now that we are all working together.