Fix the roads!

I support increased funding for repairs of County roads and believe that such funding should be a priority budget item. Everyone agrees that many County roads are dilapidated, in either “failing” or “poor” condition, full of potholes and with roadbeds that are literally disintegrating.

Why should road repairs be a priority given other funding requests? There are two primary reasons: First, for years county road funding was consistently reduced; some of the funding we urge now is to make up for these prior years of inadequate funding. Second, without reliable and safe County roads, all forms of transportation in are adversely impacted: vehicle drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, both local residents and those visiting Sonoma County, whether to enjoy tourist attractions, to service agricultural needs, to commute to work or school, operate businesses, or engage in other activities.

Unless significant funding is provided, County roads will continue to fail and the cost to fix them will continue to rise. Yes, Measure A failed, but each supervisor is on record as agreeing that the repair of our roads must be addressed. I urge the Board of Supervisors to treat road repairs as a top budget priority item.

Karen Adelson
Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa