LETTER

Braving the sidewalks  

I’m old. I live on North Street. I walk. Now at the middle of January, the condition of the sidewalks in my area is appalling. As usual, we’ve had rain, sleet, snow, and  freezing rain -- all leading to icy sidewalks. Very little salt or gravel is put down, and when it is, it quickly gets washed away by the next change in weather.  

Snow banks have not been removed from either North Street or the part of Wilfrid Lavigne that I must use. Most of the time I walk in the bicycle lane on the side of the street, which is usually cleaned, as well as the street; however, that route is also used by buses and cars turning right. You have to be sharp-eyed and spry to be a pedestrian in Aylmer in the winter! 

When I get to the shopping centres, there are the parking lots -- another story! Then the trip home with my shopping buggy full of groceries, manoeuvering  those same sidewalks.  I feel like an explorer battling mountain weather. And since it’s too late for migration, I fear hibernation is my only option for getting through winter safely.  On the other hand, I was delighted to hear that speed bumps, to reduce speeding, will be put on North Street this year. With a school and a playground here these are much needed. Thank you, Councillor Audrey Bureau!  

Joy Ruttan 

Aylmer