Redo brick streets

To the editor:

With the recent poll concerning Poplar Bluff's brick streets and with the problem of jostling coffee whenever I traverse said streets in the mornings, I decided to share an idea that I have had for some time. First, let me preface my remarks by saying that I do not know the legality of such a proposal. The courts would have to be consulted, and all parties would have to be in agreement.

I have always admired the brick streets, and the results of the DAR poll attest to the fact that the majority of the people agree with me. I can only imagine the excitement of the citizens when the new roads were first displayed in the city. What an improvement the bricks made over the muddy ruts!!! The roads were cleverly designed so that the center of the streets were raised and allowed water to drain off. However, the construction adds to today's main objection to the bricks: their roughness.

My idea is two-fold: provide a smoother ride and save the city and county a little money. I believe that we have in the county jail short-term offenders, whom we feed, house and maintain daily. These offenders who have earned trustee status could be given the opportunity to reduce their sentences. Those who volunteer to realign and replace and refit each brick one block at a time will receive two days for one served. The bricked streets are wide enough to block off one-half of the street and still have room for single lane two-way traffic, if no parking is allowed during work hours. The cost of housing the inmates would be reduced as would the cost of labor to improve the smoothness of the streets. The volunteers MUST be trustworthy, as no financial gain will be make if three or four law enforcement officers have to guard the workers!

It would be nice, also, to put some permanent base under the bricks, if that is financially feasible. However, we need to do something soon to return a truly historic part of Poplar Bluff to its rightful status and to keep the city travelers happy, too.

Sincerely,

Ken Clark

Poplar Bluff, Mo.