Pubdate: Mon, 13 Mar 2006
Source: Corvallis Gazette-Times (OR)
Copyright: 2006 Lee Enterprises
Contact: http://www.mvonline.com/support/contact/GTedletters.php
Website: http://www.gazettetimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2976
Author: Kyle Odegard
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

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.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman