Bill Ecret responds to letter to the editor

MOSES LAKE — Many times when letters are submitted to the editor there is another point of view to the subject. This is one of those times.

I am writing in response to Shirley Baze’s letter in last week’s Columbia Basin Herald. The letter made reference to the Lakeshore/Peninsula Drive reconstruction project. Mrs. Baze, as many property owners in the area, had to give up part of her landscaping that she has had for a number of years that was located in city right of way. I certainly understand her feelings of losing something that she had planted and taken care of for such a long time.

I do however feel that this project will be a major improvement for an area in Moses Lake that has seen significant growth. With recent development of housing, and a new elementary school, upgrading the roadway complete with sidewalks and curbs, is necessary to protect pedestrians from increasing automobile traffic. This project includes an activity trail that provides people an opportunity to improve their health through physical activity. It also includes replacing water main and upgrades to the sewer system. We are very lucky to be able to make these improvements at a time when many communities around the state are challenged and not able to do so.

Mrs. Baze mentioned that some in the area do not like planter strips. Studies have shown that planter strips, help to slow traffic. In an area as populated as this, complete with many young children, this is exactly what you want to do.

Mrs. Baze mentioned in her letter, that the city had “messed up the road by the golf course” and that “the road to the fairgrounds was next”. These are not city projects, they are county projects.

Mrs. Baze also mentioned that I need to clean up my property on her street. I do not own property on her street, or anywhere in the Lakeshore/Peninsula area. As any city councilman should do, when becoming aware of a problem, I contacted Mrs. Baze, discussed the issues above and also contacted code enforcement, who contacted the correct property owner who is beginning to take care of the problem.

Any citizen who has a question, a complaint, or who would like to discuss city issues, should contact their council members. This does not have to be done at a council meeting; it can be done over the phone, or at your home. I appreciate those phone calls and visits as should any councilmember. My discussion with Mrs. Baze I feel was pleasant and helped answer some of her questions.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of getting to know who your neighbors are. In Mrs. Baze’s case, this could have prevented the incorrect accusation and possibly could have corrected the problem much sooner. Getting to know your neighbors has many advantages including increasing the security of your own home and maintaining property values. Your neighbors can actually provide a social and service network to help with everything from home repairs to pet care and generally lend a hand if you need assistance. You and your neighbors probably share two important concerns, preventing crime and protecting your property values. Your home is a large investment. The investment can grow as property values in the neighborhood increase. Property values in the neighborhood can increase if the neighborhood is kept attractive, and yards and homes are kept in good repair. The opposite is true if everyone does not keep their property and neighborhood safe, attractive and in good repair.