THAT’S DEBATABLE:

What’s your stance on the proposal to install sidewalks on Broadway?

It boils down to safety. Sidewalks will make it safer for kids to walk to the library or visit neighbors without having to go into the street.

Allan Mansoor

Costa Mesa mayor

Happy children skipping to school on paved sidewalks is the ideal situation. School-bound youngsters meandering in the street and romping across lawns is not the safest idea.

Yet the latter is the way it has been for many years on Broadway and on other city streets. Some Broadway property owners are unwilling at the present time to have the city install a sidewalk on their property.

That is their constitutional right, and I support them.

I am opposed to eminent domain.

In some cases, the city would need to encroach into the owners’ landscaping to make room for a sidewalk or a special handicap ramp at an intersection. Property values are a natural concern.

For all property owners who want the city to put in the sidewalks on their property, then I recommend staff move ahead.

For those owners who cannot be persuaded to change their minds during any future discussions with city staff, then let them be.

Perhaps when the new sidewalks are installed and in use, those currently opposed will come around to see that the sidewalks will greatly benefit the neighborhood and make it safer for all, especially children and disabled persons.

Wendy Leece

Costa Mesa councilwoman

I will continue to support efforts that make neighborhoods safer and create safe routes to schools.

That’s why I support adding landscaped medians, roundabouts and other traffic calming devices to slow down neighborhood traffic. Improvements to our bike trail system will also help.

Construction of sidewalks on busy neighborhood streets are necessary for the safety of pedestrians — children and adults alike.

Still, the city staff must work with individual property owners to find solutions that result in the least amount of disruption. Present and future residents will all benefit as a result.

Katrina Foley

Costa Mesa councilwoman

I strongly support putting the sidewalks in on Broadway. While there are definitely some hurdles, there’s nothing that’s insurmountable.

Eric Bever

Costa Mesa councilman

Did not respond.

Linda Dixon

Costa Mesa councilwoman