Bisbee Review Question #4

[BettyL]

Question #4: Making Old Bisbee more handicap-friendly was once a goal. What will you do to create handicap-accessible features, like ramps, in the city?

BETTY LINDSTROM:“Again, a comprehensive plan is needed to assess the city as a whole, rather than one sidewalk or facility at a time. To accomplish this, our city staff should work together with the Commission on Disabilities and walk every single sidewalk and entrance to a public or commercial site in Old Bisbee. In this way, theory and philosophy become reality.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 gives specific and detailed requirements for accessibility to all citizens and as so far as possible, our city should and must comply with the standards. However, due to the historic nature of Old Bisbee, there are allowable exemptions. For example, I don’t think anyone would want or expect ramps (or escalators) to be constructed parallel to our historic stairs! Besides aesthetics, some accessibility is not financially feasible. However, everyone should expect easy access to restrooms, phones, bank ATMs, restaurants, etc.

I would encourage active participation of commission members and respect for their suggestions by city staff and council.”

JACK PORTER:“I believe the lack of handicapped accessible features, like ramps, throughout the city can be attributed to the lack of efficiency by the city’s street division.The basic problems are that the employees show up at the Tovreaville office at 6 a.m. and the management goes to work at 8 a.m. at the Bisbee Road office. This results in lack of supervision and lack of productivity within the streets division.

We all see the impact of this in the condition of our streets and sidewalks. Handicap accessories are relegated to an even lower status, making progress in this area almost nonexistent.

The situation must be corrected immediately by moving public works administration into the public works service building.

LEE SPINKS:“This is not one of my priorities. The sidewalks need to be compliant for disabled and handicapped people under mandates of ADA the stairs should be maintained for safe transit. Soon no one will be able to afford gasoline, so streets will be used for donkeys, mules and golf carts. If you desire beautiful paved roadways, try Florida. If ADOT and HURF funds can be generated, disbursed, received and not siphoned into the Bisbee general fund for pay increases, then a pavement program should be standard operating procedure for the Public Works Department. Streets aren’t as important to me as restoring Evergreen Cemetery.

The Main Street sidewalk project is starting soon. That should repair some sidewalks in the historic district. Shop operators will need to brace themselves for the construction period. There will be volumes of dirt and dust on the knick-knack shelves. Curb cuts for wheelchairs and other loud crosswalk designations to avoid vehicle mutilation of citizens would be acceptable.”

JACK WHETSTONE:“Making Bisbee more disabilities friendly will be an on-going project.

The Commission on Disabilities presented the city with a “wish list” of ten items in January. Some are big projects that will require grants such as sidewalk additions throughout Bisbee, but several are fairly simple curb ramps where none exist and drain grate replacements.

These are jobs that should take a few days at most and I hope will be completed by the next mayoral term. I have friends with disabilities and others with ADA compliance expertise and take access issues seriously.”

[Christopher Hodapp]

For F**K Sake People Give up