To the editor:
News reports in J-W Jan. 4 about the cost of widening Sixth Street and possible relocation of U.S. 59 Highway should remind citizens how their tax dollars are spent.
This problem is not unique to Lawrence as it is a national problem that needs everyone's attention, especially our politicians. We need to look at how other countries are dealing with growth of cities and what part automobiles play in this problem.
According to an article published by World Watch Institute, European, Canadian and wealthy Asian cities spend 5 to 9 percent of their municipal wealth on transport, whereas U.S. spends 12 to 13 percent. A community that spends a large share of its revenue on building and maintaining the infrastructure needed for motor vehicles has less of its money available for other public services, such as economic development, education and public health. Those Canadian and European cities that spend less on transport have invested in good public transportation.
U.S. citizens should ask their politicians why we can't do as Canada or Europe have done to solve the problem. Citizens should watch closely how politicians respond. Sometimes they say one thing in public and do the opposite in the halls of government.
Perhaps the best way is to join a non-profit organization and let it patrol the halls of government, keeping us informed about the turnarounds. Then our votes will be more realistic.
Lester Marsh,
Lawrence
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