[IndianaTrails] Residents dump on path plan

[Robert J. Matter]

http://www.reporter-times.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=90353&format=html

Residents dump on path plan

By Ross Flint | rflint at reportert.com
Wednesday September 12, 2007

Martinsville

If a bicycle and pedestrian path is completed along Landersdale road as 
planned, residents say they are afraid they'll have to deal with well 
... a lot of "crap."

"We like it as a rural community," said Tony Perry, who lives along the 
proposed path in Madison Township. "I like it the way it is. I don't 
want strangers walking through my yard and dogs crapping in my yard."

Several residents, including Perry, who live along the path and attended 
the Morgan County Park and Recreation Board meeting Tuesday said they 
also are afraid their taxes will increase and that they will be stuck 
mowing and maintaining the path.

Morgan County Commissioner Jeff Quyle said their concern about a tax 
increase is not a legitimate issue. The project is being paid for by a 
$1 million grant from the transportation enhancement program. There also 
was a fundraiser to set up an endowment, he said.

Quyle said he wasn't sure if there would be any problem maintaining or 
mowing because the type of path hasn't been decided.

The residents' main fear is still dealing with a loss of privacy and the 
possibility of damage caused by users of the path, they said.

Perry said he thinks county residents who don't want to take their trash 
to the dump will leave it along the path.

"People living along it will have to deal with dog excrement, teenagers 
smoking dope," he said.

Other Landersdale road residents said the path would be a nice addition 
for those who used it, but not for the home owners living along it. 
Those who are from the area stay there because of its rural surrounding, 
and those who move into the area do so for the same reason, they said.

Quyle said the project would not go that far east of the road.

The project will add a bicycle and pedestrian path, Quyle said It is 
taking a little longer than expected because the Indiana Department of 
Transportation has become more rigorous in reviewing such projects, he said.

"I think it's going to be a good addition to the community," Quyle said. 
"People will have a good, safe route."

The path will cross the Brown and Madison township lines.

It starts at the Mooresville High School soccer fields and heads east, 
adjacent to Heartland Crossing. A second segment is planned from Madison 
Elementary School to the Madison Township fire station.

Board President William Herring said the meeting wasn't a public hearing 
for residents, but a brief opportunity for residents to express their 
opinion.

The board is required to host a public hearing, Quyle told the board, 
but the date has not been set.

Herring said the county is rapidly changing from rural to a more 
suburban location.

"Like it or not, we're going to have changes" in the county, he said. "I 
know there are conflicts.

"The key is we're developing for the existing population and the future 
population."

Part of the project can be done in conjunction with widening the roads 
in order to work with both motorized and non-motorized traffic, he said.

"I can't say there's no trouble on bike paths," Quyle said, "but I can 
say it's been beneficial for bicyclists."

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