To the editor:

Our former city manager, Mike Wildgen, should NOT be held solely accountable for the deplorable conditions of Lawrence’s infrastructure. Our city commissioners also should be asked to resign for their role in helping put our infrastructure where it is today.

Let’s also ask our traffic engineer to resign for letting our streets deteriorate to where they are today. What is his love for “traffic-calming devices” such as speed humps, traffic circles and the infamous roundabouts? And our city commissioners are approving tens of thousands of dollars to build these nightmares. What about the old traffic-calming devices such as stop signs, speed limits and police enforcement of both? What the city spends on just one roundabout, like the one on west Clinton Parkway, would hire several more police officers, the equipment they would need and fund them for several years.

The $3.7 million plus for the Kasold Drive reconstruction is an example of the money-wasting thinking of the traffic engineer and our commissioners. Why does the hill have to be “leveled” and create all the associated costs, obstacles and objections that it creates? It’s still going to be a hill! An 11-foot-wide sidewalk? Who needs that?

The North Kasold Drive “improvement,” with more proposed roundabouts, can wait until it’s actually needed. It’s in better shape than many Lawrence streets. Let’s spend our money more wisely on NEEDED improvements and get back to grassroots basics. Forget the costly traffic-calming devices and pie-in-the-sky schemes. Spend our street money where it’s needed!

Harlan Miller,

Lawrence