To the Editor:
After reading Judy Slack’s letter published in The Altamont Enterprise last week [“Some sidewalks improve neither our town nor the environment”], I fail to understand why she finds the new sidewalk along Western Avenue between the library and the SEFCU bank as ill-advised.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Living in Guilderland for 33 years, I have on many occasions observed pedestrians and/or bicyclists navigating, day and night, this dangerous one-half mile of road — perhaps the most dangerous in the county.

In fact, on several occasions, I called the police when I observed people putting themselves in serious danger along this stretch of road during dusk and nighttime hours.

Ride a bicycle as I have just a few feet from speeding automobiles and trucks and you’ll come away with a totally different perspective and be grateful for the added security that a sidewalk will provide.

This sidewalk is not for future potential use. The pedestrian traffic has been present for many years. 

Gerard Houser

Guilderland

Editor’s note: Gerard Houser is coordinator for Guilderland Community Gardens.