There has been so much talk about the condition of Freeport streets the last few months. I agree they are terrible, however, as a city we need a much broader conversation on our transportation needs. Thinking we can tax our way out of this ongoing dilemma (the condition of Freeport streets have been a topic for at least the last three decades) is laughable. The increases in Freeport's home rule sales tax has literally paralleled Freeport's decline.
One common misconception is that "everyone" or that "all" of us use Freeport roads equally. In talking to his fellow city council members at the most recent committee of the whole meeting, alderman James Monroe said that "all of us are affected by them (bad streets)...we all drive on these horrible roads." That's not a true statement. Many Freeport housesholds have no automobile and have little care about the condition of Freeport streets.
Writing extensively on transportation issues in the 1990s and living in Freeport without driving a car for more than 20-years has given me a unique perspective. I've come to the conclusion that driving a vehicle is the most goverment subsidized activity most people partake in, gas and road use taxes don't come close to covering the cost of automobile travel upon society, they never have. Hence, those that choose not to drive are forced to subsidize those that do. Just look at the $2.00 road fee on your water bill, despite the fact that many residents don't even have off street parking; or the proposed sales tax hike to fix Freeport streets. Those that, for whatever reason, don't drive must pay the aforementioned taxes all the while being treated as second class citizens.
Just take a look at the recent snowstorm and the two weeks of heavy snowpack that followed. There were numerous places in Freeport, at both private and public parking lots, snow was pushed on to sidewalks leaving them impassable for pedestrians...despite an ordiance purportedly in place to prevent such actions. Here are just two examples:
Yes, there is a sidewalk underneath that huge mound of snow along the east side of the 100 block of North Walnut Avenue. What's particularly egregious about this pile of snow is that, despite a city ordinance prohibiting such activity, numerous Freeport police officers had to see this mountain of snow as they use the alley right across the street, to enter and exit the police station parking lot.
Here is another pile of snow plowed from a private lot onto the sidewalk on the east side of Locust Avenue, near the foot of Lincoln Boulevard. As a matter fact, pedestrians coming from the west on Lincoln wishing to get downtown, had no easy route to the foot of Main Street, they had to climb over the snow piles the plows had pushed up.
Larger intersections are as much, or more of a challenge for pedestrians, as the islands they rely upon to keep them from getting killed are never cleaned of snow and ice in Freeport, just the opposite, they are used to collect the snow. (the picture below was taken after much of the snow had melted)
We spend thousands of dollars in equipment and manhours hauling snow from downtown when it's not much of an impediment to vehicle or pedestrian commerce. Couldn't some of these resources be used where the need is more urgent?
Despite being taxed heavily for "roads" those in Freeport without cars have a very difficult time conducting the necessary commerce that many Freeport drivers take for granted. Freeport drivers can expect to have the roads cleared of snow and ice while Freeport pedestrians can expect the snow and ice to be plowed up becoming obstacles for them to overcome...if they're young and healthy enough to contemplate a winter walk in Freeport.
Freeport is a small enough town that it should be easy to conduct at least some commerce by foot. However, in the newer parts of Freeport pedestrian accessibility appears to have never been contemplated, despite the city council spending huge sums on "transportation" projects and looking to spend yet more.
A common problem cited by Freeport employers is the lack transportation for their workforce. Many people taking Freeport's entry level jobs do not have their own cars. I'd like to see the mayor or any member the city council walk from Farm and Fleet to Starbucks, it's only a short distance. I can cite dozens, if not a hundred short distance walks that are darn near impossible for anyone without youthful athleticism. Just try to walk to the nearest neighborhood elementary school in any weather and consider what pedestrians, many of them children, are up against.
If people can conduct more business by foot it is is good for all involved. Walking is good for one's health, not driving saves money for the individual and the community. Freeport taxpayers have paid for numerous recreational walking trails, however we need a much greater emphasis on improving our infrastructure to make walking for commerce--point A to point B trips--possible and more inviting to all Freeport residents and visitors.
While the 2024-2026 City of Freeport Strategic Vision and Goals, as adopted by the Freeport City Council, plainly states "Whether you drive a car, use Pretzel City Transit, a ride-share or taxi, ride a bike, or walk, getting around Freeport is easy." I'd like to see Freeport Mayor Jodi Miller and the Freeport City Council begin working to make their certified statement something beyond fiction.
As always, yours in honesty
John Samuel Cook
2024
tutty.baker@gmail.com
