Despite objections, sidewalks coming to town of Merlin

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) – The Josephine County Board of Commissioners voted to go ahead with a $638,000 project to install sidewalks in Merlin, a small town near the Rogue River.

Commissioners tabled the matter in March because of community opposition. The Daily Courier reports Commissioner Dan DeYoung then went door-to-door among businesses to hear concerns, and the project was redesigned in some spots.

Most who spoke at Wednesday’s meeting were still against the project, with one man telling the Oregon-raised commissioners to take to “take your California ways back to California.”

Opponents say hardly anyone walks through town, and sidewalks would damage the rural flavor of the community.

An earlier concern about the loss of parking spaces has been alleviated. Bike lanes aren’t in the plan, and on-street parking remains in most locations.

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Information from: Daily Courier, http://www.thedailycourier.com