Letter: Regarding Proposed Sport Hill Road Pedestrian Pass

To The Editor:

Every day, I see people waiting for the bus across the street from my building in Bridgeport. This bus stop is adjacent to a school and in a busy area. During inclement weather, these bus riders often seek refuge under the portico of my building’s front stoop. We’ve reached out to the City countless times requesting a bus shelter at this location and receive the same response, “We don’t have the funds available.”

This bus shelter would cost less than $50k, and provide an essential service to those requiring public transportation, often to get to their jobs and schools. Yet, there are those in Easton, who claim we need a 10’ sidewalk that costs over $1 million, so our children can walk from their school to the local candy store.

Recently, our state rep Anne Hughes stated the following, "When we improve our accessibility, we show through our collective spirit that we indeed value all people, of all ages and abilities, and that we will look out for one another and protect one another, even if they are some else’s family." She and some of her supporters claim on the one hand, that Easton is “entitled” to these grant funds, and on the other that we must support “equity” and give our fair share to the underserved. How do they justify taking limited funding for the luxury of a non-essential sidewalk, away from people who get drenched in the rain and pelted during snowstorms because there is no refuge at their bus stop?

Easton is among the top ten state municipalities for average income while Bridgeport is in the bottom quarter. So, do we really need this sidewalk that badly to accept this funding at the expense of those who desperately need it? I don’t think so, and am totally fed up with the hypocrisy and double speak of some, more privileged Easton residents, including some of our leadership.

Beverlee Dacey
Easton