[Winona Online Democracy] Hello, I am new to Winona Online Democracy, but have actually sent one correspondence about 10 days ago that did not get posted regarding the annexation issues. I am wondering how I find out why this did not get posted.
I have been following the traffic issues discussion that has been going on the last few days. I would like to link this to the annexation issues that we are experiencing out on Hwy 17. It is one of my pet peeves that the city does not address the increase in traffic and safety issues before moving ahead with their annexation plans and only address the "benefits" of high density housing and the need to expand. Highway 14 is an example of their lack of insight and planning when in comes to annexation. With higher density housing such as what is going on in Gilmore and out Hwy 43 (with the most recent annexation), comes higher density traffic!! It seems to me that good planning on our city officials part, would involve plans to address traffic issues. Hwy 43 and 17 are congested all the way up to Hwy 61 during heavy traffic times. Cars are submerged in each other lanes. I waited through 3 lights the other day to get across Hwy 61 because traffic was backed up to the intersection of 43 and 17. More traffic lights are not a solution, Look at how many traffic lights they have put in this half mile area. It is dangerous! It took me nearly 20 minutes to go less then 3 miles from my home to where I work at the hospital the other day. Drivers are frustrated and at times careless because of the increase time it takes to get a short distance. The issue actually starts in trying to get on to Hwy 15/17 a few blocks up from 43. There is so much traffic traveling through Homer Road now, that it is time consuming to get on to 17/43. Stockton Hill/Gilmore Valley area has been an issue prior to the annexation out that way. Higher density has only made the issue worse. If you talk to people living out that way they are very disappointed in the city's lack of concern and development to improve the safety and develop a normal, timely traffic flow. I overheard someone coming from St. Mary's University the other day, say it took them nearly a half hour to get down to Hwy 61 from the school. It scares me to think what the city is moving ahead with another annexation without addressing the cost and time needed to develop Hwy structures that will support "high density" traffic. The city is telling tax payers that annexing 2 miles out of city limits will "only" cost 2.5 million dollars of tax payer money. That is only the estimated cost of running sewer and water. There is no cost estimating in dealing with Hwy development and traffic issues!! This will cost far more than 2.5 million dollars in a two mile stretch. And I would like to remind you tax payers of Winona, this is a two mile stretch that currently has no development plans or developers abutting the city limits. I continue to be concerned about our City Councils lack of addressing issues related to annexation and traffic is just one of them. I continue to be concerned about our city moving from one annexed site to another without developing, completing or addressing issues related to higher density areas. They are leap frogging from one site to another with no concern for safety issues and quality of life in Winona. Instead of spending the 2.5 million to run sewer and water to a site almost 2 miles out of the city limits, spend this money on fixing problem areas and completing curb, gutter, lights, and addressing dangerous traffic areas due to higher density in the annexed areas they have gobbled up over the last 5 years. I choose to live in Winona because I do not want to spend 20 minutes to go 3 miles to work. I choose to live in Winona because heavy density and heavy traffic city's is not where I want to live. I know many of my neighbors, and friends feel the same way. I know this is a personal choice, but is the city willing to continue with poor development to impress their own egos at the lost of others? Janice Turek _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
