A SAFER WALK TO SCHOOL

Council Looks At 19th Street Upgrades; Drug Dog Discussed

PHILOMATH -- Kids could have a safer walk or bike ride to school
next fall thanks to a $1 million improvement on South 19th Street
that city officials hope will happen this summer.

During its Monday meeting, the Philomath City Council looked over a
design that includes bike lanes and a sidewalk for the west side of
the well-traveled road.

"The sidewalks are going to make it much safer for the kids right
away. It would be a tremendous bonus for the community," said Pete
Tuana, Philomath schools superintendent, who attended the meeting.

"I think it's something we really need to do," Councilor Angie Baca said.

Clemens Primary School and the Philomath Youth Activities Club are
on South 19th Street, and the middle school and high school also are nearby.

Benton County will bear most of the cost for the project, but
Philomath needs to contribute $152,000. Construction is estimated to
take about two months.

Issues remain with how the city will fund its share, where to place
new crosswalks and whether parking for parents picking up students
or a turn lane is more important near Clemens Primary School.

Some on-street parking on the road will be eliminated. Turn lanes
will be added on South 19th Street near Applegate Street, however.

The council seemed supportive of Philomath Police Department's plan
to get a drug-sniffing dog to combat methamphetamine and other
controlled substances.

The dog would need to be approved through the budget process, but
police aim to get donations to cover the initial $50,000 cost, which
includes a specially fitted patrol car.

Maintenance for the animal will cost $5,000 to $6,000 every year,
although a fund-raiser also could cover that, said Chief Ken Elwer.

Mayor Chris Nusbaum wants to send the message that meth isn't
allowed in Philomath, a town that some drug users have nicknamed
"Full-of-meth."

And officer Dave Gurski assured the mayor that a finely tuned nose
can provide a big scare for drug users.

The canine would be available 24/7 for routine traffic stops, and if
there are drugs, the dog will smell them, Gurski said. And that's
all police need.

"It's pretty foolproof," he added.