Editor:

It has come to my attention that the city of Casper is taking on the spending of some $40,000-plus dollars to ascertain whether or not the city is walkable. To save some money I will volunteer my wheelchair for the use of the city manager so that he might himself find out the truth of the matter.

First, there are great areas of the city without sidewalks, so walking there is only on the streets.

Second, there are large areas of Casper without the needed, nay, the lawful insulation of curb cuts on the street corners so the disabled can get from one block to another.

Third, there are many street lights where those walking do not have enough time to cross the street when the walk light is lit. I don't know about you, but I just can't make it across First Street at Wolcott in the four seconds allowed. I'm sorry but I just don't have the strength to get my wheelchair across in the four seconds, thus I must cross when the traffic is going through the intersection. For the lady in the Caddy that I rapped my cane upon the hood of her car, I'm sorry. She was stopped in the crosswalk, you see.

Fourth, I am all in favor of the river walk, the new theater and all those fine golf courses that I can't use. However, it does seem to me that before we spend money on them the basics should be finished. You know, the sidewalks in areas that have been built up since the 1920s by Washington Park and the cemetery. I'm tired of having to push my wheelchair down the streets.

Lastly, in this progress, when the mayor was seen on television baying that the city is in good shape financially, can the mayor tell me why there are no sidewalks in these areas, let alone the curb cuts that were required to all be in and finished by 1996, and this is now 2007?

GEORGE F. KOHL III, Casper