What's on our minds
So I was walking along, enjoying an evening stroll a few blocks from my house, when I suddenly found myself flat on my face on the concrete.
My left knee was a bloody, bruised mess — definitely not a sight for the squeamish.
I had tripped on a broken piece of sidewalk.
And as I've talked with others, they've noticed the broken sidewalks too.
Apparently, so has the rest of Hillsboro.
In the results of a community-wide survey, nearly 80 percent of those who responded said that the city sidewalks need improvement. It was an overwhelming statement that can't be interpreted any other way.
The survey is full of other statements. Hillsboro has spoken, and their opinion is plain: They like the school system. They think a new or improved swimming pool would be a good idea. They say that the city's electrical system needs some help.
With this survey, we have a glimpse of how Hillsboro residents view their home.
This survey is invaluable. It's a look into our neighbor's minds. It's an honest look — since these surveys were anonymous, people didn't feel pressured to put on a polite face.
Maybe that means that next time, the city will decide to rip out some old sidewalks and put new ones in before they rip out a street.
Or that they'll start the ball rolling on a better pool before they attack the Rails for Trails issue.
It's time for the city to take this information and put it to practical use.
— JENNIFER WILSON
