A grandmother's protest to UDOT and Clinton city
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No comments [ Add Comment ]By Gayle Moss
Guest commentary
E
ight years ago with their upcoming marriage days away, a young couple purchased what they considered a starter home on 2000 West in Clinton.
"It's great," my daughter said to me. "A little old brick home, and in the front yard are two big beautiful apple trees." That little, old brick home was soon filled with new love, hopes and dreams.
A few years later, twins are born -- such wonderful blessings from above. The traffic outside continues to get busier and the noise gets louder. "Don't worry, Mom," my daughter says to me, "it doesn't bother us because of the apple trees."
Years go by as babies grow strong little legs that need to stretch and run. Outside changes are happening, too. Good neighbors are forced to leave their house of 50 years. Progress has come and nothing can be done.
Huge trucks, dust and garbage everywhere, a grocery store and mini-mall is built, and the new neighbor-to-be is another store.
"Don't worry, Mom," my daughter says to me, "I will not let the little ones play past the apple trees."
Another year goes by, more traffic accidents and a super shopping center to be built. The road needs widening, the dangers increase and the city has decided to buy out the family behind the apple trees. The city tells the family to wait, so they wait and wait and wait. Phone calls to the city, mayor and, finally, to the Utah Department of Transportation -- the latter of which puts the family straight: There will be no buy-out, and half the front yard will be a new road; but don't worry, UDOT says, we won't go past the apple trees.
Another year and the family of four will soon be five. The need to move is strong as the family grows, and the dirt, dust, noise and danger outside inches closer to the little old brick home. The house goes up for sale. Buyers come, but the city has other plans, and buyers go. The house does not sell. A beautiful strong son is born. The family wants to move to a safer, quiet home in this land of the free, but the house is now labeled "historical."
The family struggles with what to do now; frustration, desperation and fear are constant companions. A pregnant young mother with her 18-month-old son, hands held tight, go together to get the mail. A car full of teenage boys' race closely by yelling insults, one after another. "Mom," my daughter says to me, "They called me a fat slob in front of my son -- and, yes, we went beyond the apple trees."
So, what happens now as the bright orange cones are put in place and the signs of "take a detour construction to begin" are set? My daughter called today with the news, "The construction crew will soon take down our fence." Between sobs she says, "Worry, Mom, because we have been told they might take down the apple trees."
Does no one see what I see: a family living behind two apple trees?
Is this progress or just greed? All of the lies and broken promises, no one seems to really care; what happens now? The city says nothing can be done, the decision has been made. UDOT's reply was, "It's not me who bought that house."
One day the family is told: We will put a sidewalk in front of your house. The next day the decision has been changed. Dirt will make due for now; we will tear it up again in a couple of years and fix it right.
Is Clinton city caring for its residents or the large corporations with huge money?
The apple trees' branches are full of new buds waiting to burst.
Will the buds have a chance to bloom? There are seven children under the age of 7, and one senior citizen, living in the three houses where construction will soon begin. Will the city post a lower speed limit for these citizens?
The answer was "no," because it would slow down traffic flow! Is it not the city's job to protect its citizens?
As you drive on 2000 West, please pray for the safety of these little ones hiding behind the apple trees.
Is your family next?
Moss lives in West Point.
