Dear Township Board:

Thank you so much for gradually expanding our township's non-motorized transportation system.  In the past few years, I have seen more and more sidewalks built.  I want to especially thank Mr. Bill Holland; I am thankful that he is faithfully fulfilling his campaign pledge to build more bike paths. 

One reason that alternative transportation is important is that it enhances our region's air quality.  Several months ago, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America named Grand Rapids as the sixth most challenging place to live with asthma, and the ranking was in large part due to our air pollution problem.  Using a tool called AirCompare on the Environmental Protection Agency's website (epa.gov/aircompare), I compared the air quality of different counties in the United States.  I learned that residents of the Grand Rapids area face a poorer air quality than that of such major cities as Minneapolis, St. Paul, New Orleans, Miami, Portland, San Francisco, the Kings and Queens sections of New York City, Chicago, Gary, San Antonio, Austin, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Memphis.  If more people can get around by walking or cycling instead of driving, our township's air quality can improve.

I do have a suggestion relating to the way our township's sidewalks and paths are built.  As one who has asthma, I can say from experience that breathing in car fumes can exacerbate asthma symptoms.  I respectfully suggest that sidewalks and non-motorized paths be built as far from the road as possible.  I also strongly believe that more people will feel comfortable using the paths if there are small trees planted between the road and the path.  In addition to sheltering pedestrians and cyclists from vehicle fumes, small trees between the road and the path will provide path-users a sense of protection and comfort.

Thank you so much for your attention to my thoughts.

Sincerely,
D. Parnell McCarter