EDITOR:

Well Escanaba, we’re getting new state mandated water pipes pushed into our homes. That’s the good news. Even though it’s reported that we have less lead in our drinking water then ever before, the pipes are being replaced at city’s expense, that’s part of the bad news. The rest of the bad news is how our streets, curbs, avenues, and sidewalks look after the work is done. In order to replace the lines, some curbs and huge chunks of sidewalk are being removed. The avenue next to my home is just a huge pile of sand. The reason it is sand and not topsoil is how the hole was dug and then refilled. They just pushed the dirt back in, with the topsoil going beneath the sand. Unless topsoil is replaced there, no grass will grow. As for the curbs? Well, come winter time, when the snow plow moves along the street it will push dirt up along with the snow, that is if the plow doesn’t snag on the remaining curb. Sidewalks? Well, let’s just say, your snow thrower isn’t going to like running over patches of sand. It’s a mess Escanaba! Recently on Facebook I asked the city what the plan was to have curbs, streets, and sidewalks ‘fixed’. The Facebook page told me to ‘call’ the city. I suppose their phone line will be quite busy as some 3,000 plus residents may have the same question. So, when will the paving, curbing, and avenue repair begin? Sometime in late 2030 or so? When? and since this lead pipe replacement was a state mandate, do we wait for a state grant or what? Good luck Escanaba!

Edward Stacey

Escanaba