Possible improvements for Walla Walla streets
WALLA WALLA - You don't have to drive far to see the trouble. Cracks and potholes cover many streets throughout Walla Walla.
Now the fix would come out of your pocket.
Walla Walla says putting off the cost won't make it any easier.
"you can defer maintenance on them for a little while, says Damien Sinnot, VP of Public Policy and Business Development. “But after a while it's just like your house, things get more expensive at an exponential rate.”
If passed, Proposition 1 would raise about a million dollars by raising the sales tax.
The 2/10 of a cent hike wouldn't just fall on the shoulders of citizens.
The city would also get money from tourists shopping in town.
The money would be used only to fix streets, nothing more.
Doug Bayne joined the campaign to pass the tax because he wants to see this problem fixed once and for all.
"Over the past several decades, serving on several street committees we see a lot of stop and starts, not talking about the vehicles on the streets, we're talking about stop and start of consistent funding for the streets,” says Bayne.
Cyclist Mark Juhasz sees the dangers closeup everyday.
"I do a lot of commuting on bike so I notice it a lot more than some people do but even in a car, it's really obvious that they need to be replaced.”
Walla Walla says without the money to repair the streets, the city will fall into a bigger hole literally.
The problem will only continue to get worse and the price tag higher.
Ballots will go to voters at the end of the month. They're due back on Valentine's Day.
Now the fix would come out of your pocket.
Walla Walla says putting off the cost won't make it any easier.
"you can defer maintenance on them for a little while, says Damien Sinnot, VP of Public Policy and Business Development. “But after a while it's just like your house, things get more expensive at an exponential rate.”
If passed, Proposition 1 would raise about a million dollars by raising the sales tax.
The 2/10 of a cent hike wouldn't just fall on the shoulders of citizens.
The city would also get money from tourists shopping in town.
The money would be used only to fix streets, nothing more.
Doug Bayne joined the campaign to pass the tax because he wants to see this problem fixed once and for all.
"Over the past several decades, serving on several street committees we see a lot of stop and starts, not talking about the vehicles on the streets, we're talking about stop and start of consistent funding for the streets,” says Bayne.
Cyclist Mark Juhasz sees the dangers closeup everyday.
"I do a lot of commuting on bike so I notice it a lot more than some people do but even in a car, it's really obvious that they need to be replaced.”
Walla Walla says without the money to repair the streets, the city will fall into a bigger hole literally.
The problem will only continue to get worse and the price tag higher.
Ballots will go to voters at the end of the month. They're due back on Valentine's Day.
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