The Politics of Sidewalks

Dear Neighbors,

Sidewalks are not without politics, increasingly we are neglecting them.  For much of the city sidewalks are growing weeds between them whose roots systems are separating the curbing from the cement or tar is becoming more cracked and open.  We as a city need to address this in a systematic way.

Humans vs. Trees and Electric Poles - the politics.
Sidewalks were designed for pedestrian traffic first, not trees.  People need to be able to walk on a side walk, while that may sound redundant, many are becoming impassible, especially in the new age of electric wheelchairs for the handicapped.  Electric poles need to be minimized and double poles need to end - period.  Some poles are leaning at angles that are dangerous looking.  Because we no longer know how to live without electricity and depend on it for our very existence not much can be done to get rid of them on our sidewalks.  Trees however are often in competition with both poles and people.  Tree roots break up curbing and narrow the ability for wheel chairs driving them into the street where it is unsafe for them to travel. Trees in areas are interfering with power lines and/or will in storms.  Power is a necessity, tress while needed for oxygen and for calming people from stress do not not belong on small sidewalks.  Luckily, this city has more than the average tree spaces than most mid sized cities like ours, we have natural resources for water Mystic Lakes, Wrights Pond and Spot Pond.  We have the Fells, Wrights Pond, and Brooks Estate grounds. for trees.  We have the Mystic River and all the trees around it. 
Sidewalks are not excluded from local politics.  The city division in charge of wiring will be hearing from me as well as the the tree advocates on sidewalks should you elect me.  We also need a plan to maintain these human walkways - they were initially designed for human foot traffic. 
Respectfully,
Jeanne Martin