Letter: Referendum necessary to serve voice of the people

To the Editor-

Mr. Thomas Leek, 8th District alderperson, wrote an article talking about the potential referendum on road projects.

Mr. Leek in his article explained that Stevens Point has become a more attractive place for businesses and he wants to maintain Stevens Point as an attractive place for businesses.

I agree with Mr. Leek that we need to encourage the growth of businesses in our community. The proposed reduction of Business 51 from a 4 lane road to a 3 lane road (commonly called a road diet) could have a devastating impact upon the businesses that are located on Business 51.

In California, a road diet project had a devastating impact on businesses. There were 21 businesses that closed in the 17 months since the 0.8-mile road diet was completed; this stretch of road had only two businesses fail in the decade prior to this road construction project. The road diet had such a devastating impact on this California city that the city expanded this road and reversed the road diet.

Our wonderful city could face the same devastating impact on businesses if the road diet occurs on Business 51. The move from a four-lane road to three lanes will also result in greater congestion on Business 51.

A Michigan State study analyzed the safety and operational analysis of 24 roads in Michigan that were converted from four-lane roads to three-lane roads. The study concluded that road diets result in significant traffic delays on roads with more than 10,000 cars per day. Business 51 has up to 13,700 cars per day. The resulting traffic delays will force motorists to choose alternative roads since no one wants to have unnecessary delays.

Mr. Leek wants to promote business but the road diet project that he voted for will likely result in several business closures on Business 51.

Mr. Leek, in his article, indicates that slowing down renovating streets will weaken our ability to lure new businesses. The Stevens Point city planners work on plans for road projects several years before beginning road construction projects.

The need for public approval for projects will not be delayed because city planners will take into consideration the need for public approval. I do want to stress that public approval is only needed if Stevens Point needs to pay more than $1 million for a road project.

The city receives funds from the state and federal government for road projects and the city will receive even more funds with the federal government’s new road infrastructure bill. For the avoidance of doubt, this means that a Stevens Point road project that costs $5 million but receives $4.5 million of federal funding will not need to receive approval from the taxpayers.

Mr. Leek also indicates in his article the following: “My vote against sending the Business 51 project to referendum was solely about how we make infrastructure decisions to prioritize the needs of our community.”

I attended the City Council meeting on Dec. 20, 2021, and Mr. Leek and other City Council members did not express these thoughts. Mr. Leek and other City Council members on Dec. 20 encouraged concerned citizens to seek a referendum on road projects.

I am happy to report that the citizens of Stevens Point have spoken and there is now the necessary number of signatures to bring the referendum question to a vote.

I believe the spring election is very important. The majority of the City Council members have not listened to the voice of the people during the discussion of the Business 51 road project.

The voice of the people is essential in a democratic society. I applaud the Stevens Point citizens that have entered the City Council race, want a brighter future for the city, and want to continue building this city.

I support Dean Shuda the City Council candidate running against Thomas Leek. Dean is a thoughtful leader that will serve the best interests of this great city.

The city will be in great hands if Dean and the other prospective City Council members are elected because they all want to continue to grow the city.

Joe Fonti
Chief Legal and Compliance Officer
Furniture & ApplianceMart | Ashley HomeStore
Stevens Point

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