Sidewalks are a safety priority in November vote

October 8, 2014

GREENVILLE, SC – Using the backdrop of thousands of area students walking to school Wednesday morning, the Citizens for a Better Greenville shared a message of safety and sidewalks to increase support for the November roads referendum.

Road repair and renovation is a major portion of the November 4 referendum, but close to 100 sidewalks projects are included as well, said Bob Knight, chairman of the Citizens for a Better Greenville. The vast majority of these sidewalks are being built near schools.

“The children of Greenville should be able to walk safely to school, but the vast majority of them can’t because of lack of sidewalks,” he said.

Walking to school enables children to incorporate the regular physical activity they need each day while also forming healthy habits that can last a lifetime. In addition, it puts fewer vehicles on the road and promotes safety habits, said Cynthia Fryer, Manager for Children’s Advocacy with Safe Kids Upstate. Wednesday was International Walk to School Day.

Citizens for a Better Greenville is a coalition of Greenville residents that is working to pass the November, one-cent sales tax referendum. The tax is limited to a period of eight years, and will fund needed road and infrastructure improvement projects including road resurfacing, intersection improvements, bridge improvements, and sidewalks around schools. The group lists safety, economic development, quality of life and monetary control of roads funding as key reasons to pass the referendum.

Go to www.greenvillecounty.org and click on the November Referendum to read the entire list of projects.

 

About The Citizens for a Better Greenville County:

The Citizens for a Better Greenville County is a local initiative to allow all Greenville residents the opportunity to decide the best way to fund infrastructure improvements county wide. Learn more at www.bettergreenvilleroads.com.