Arrogance, Ego and Apathy

Opportunity to Enhance Safety for Children

It has come to the attention of this citizen that the City of Montrose had an opportunity to enhance the safety of our children’s daily walk to school on the north side of town for the students who need to cross Townsend Ave each morning and afternoon. However, the city declined what would have been fully funded by federal grant money. Instead, due to the arrogance and ego of the City Manager and the apathy of the City Council, they opted for a less safe alternative that would require cost-sharing. The reason? Our City Manager believed it would allow the county to infringe on the city’s jurisdiction.

The “Safe Streets 4 All” Program

The “Safe Streets 4 All” program provides federal grants aimed at creating safer streets through various improvements. This program would allocate between $45 million and $55 million to improve US Highway 50, extending from the Montrose Regional Airport to North 4th Street. These improvements are both needed and welcome. Additionally, they will provide local jobs and, most importantly, create a safer environment along US Highway 50 on the North side of town, while also beautifying the route with greenery and paved walkways.

Community Gratitude for Federal Funds

We, as a community, are grateful to receive these federal funds, which will help improve and make our streets safer. This is, in my opinion, an excellent use of available federal funds.

The Proposal for Pedestrian Bridges

However, the issue arises from a discussion during a recent meeting attended by this citizen and others. It was revealed that the original proposal included pedestrian bridges at North 4th and North 9th Streets, crossing North Townsend Avenue. These bridges would have been fully funded by the grant, in contrast to the rest of the grant terms, which call for an 80/20 split (80% covered by the grant, and 20% paid by the receiving jurisdiction, in this case, the city). The pedestrian bridges would not only improve safety, but they could also add beautification, particularly during the holidays, with lights and banners for events.

Opposition to Pedestrian Bridges

However, the City Manager, according to a source I spoke with, opposed the proposal because the city did not want the responsibility of maintaining the bridges. These pedestrian bridges were to be made of structural steel and concrete, materials that require virtually no maintenance. It was later revealed that the real reason for the opposition was the City Manager’s belief that the project would “infringe on the city’s jurisdiction,” which is why, according to my source, the bridges were ultimately rejected.

The City’s Alternative Proposal: Smart Crosswalks

Instead, the City, through the City Manager and City Council’s consent, opted for crosswalks with smart lights at a cost of approximately $100,000 each. This is a much less safe alternative for our children, who need to cross these intersections twice daily. The total cost to taxpayers of Montrose for this alternative is about $40,000. If the City Manager’s arrogance and ego, and the apathy of the City Council had been set aside for just a moment, they might have considered a solution that prioritized logic and common sense. This is especially true given the City Manager and City Council’s history of reluctance over the past eight years, evidenced by the sheer fiscal irresponsibility of moving Montrose from relatively low long term debt, to more than $100 million in debt. Shades of USAID?

This is a disgusting display of arrogance, ego and apathy.  And most disturbing is that the arrogance, ego and apathy was put before the safety of our local children!  The City Manager and the City Council should be ashamed of this finding and I would hope that they would have the decency to amend their position and do the right thing, Ask for the Pedestrian Bridges to be reinstated into the grant proposal and keep our children safe!

Just one man’s humble opinion.

Michael J Badagliacco, “MJB”

Michael is a father of 5, grandfather of 3, USAF Veteran, recording artist, entrepreneur, Editor of USA Liberty Report, passionate about Freedom, Liberty, the founders’ genius of the Constitution and current Candidate for Montrose City Council.