Safe Routes to Schools gets go ahead … for now
By Michael Johnson, Editor
If the residents of Underwood support a plan for additional sidewalks in town there could be some additions and updates to area routes to school. Underwood City Commissioners approved the submission of the application for a Safe Routes to School grant that would pay for 100 percent of the cost. The idea came out of a September meeting on how to better market Underwood. The idea for a walking trail came about as a way to make Underwood a more recreational friendly and inviting community. While commissioners approved the submission of the Safe Routes to School Grant, they were not ready to approve submitting an application for a walking path without more time to digest the plan. Becky Bowen, UAEDC director, was hoping to get their approval in order to make the Dec. 17 deadline. The grant only funds once per year. They were not ready to approve the walking trail because they were expected to pay 20 percent of the project. The vote of 3-2 for the Safe Routes to School Grant showed that there was some uncertainty about that project as well. Steve Cottingham was one commissioner against it stating, "If it was me I wouldn’t want a sidewalk in my yard."
