ShortCircuit - Well said!

The keywords here to me as to why I oppose changing it is that they are proposing to change "a PORTION of Milwaukee Street in downtown Janesville to two-way". I think it is really stupid to keep part of it one-way and make another part two-way. I think there will be head on collisions because of traffic going the wrong way in each portion because will forget which section is which. Also, it could be so confusing that people will just avoid it all together.

I actually spend quite a bit of time downtown each week between working out at the Y severa; times a week, going to the library a couple of times a week, volunteering at HealthNet a few times a week and attending Weight Watchers once a week. There is probably only a day or two a week where I am not spending sometime in the downtown area.

I like the way the traffic flows now and don't see a need for it to change. I don't think there is excessive speed which is the reason some of the merchants are saying that they want it to change. They have removed or turned off some of traffic lights recently in the downtown area (Franklin Street, High Street, Acadamy Street, etc.). That really didn't make sense if the merchants are complaining about the speed being too fast already.

This city needs to open their eyes and stop spending money! School cuts people losing their homes no jobs hiring, yet we can afford to change streets? We need to get rid of the city council and find new ones and Im mean good ones not briarmoon and that joke Ty Bollurd or how ever you spell it!There is more important things to spend money on.

"Interesting how many are opposed to it and how few are in support of it, yet it is going to happen anyway. . . . and what exactly is the reason again?"

***

The "reason" is that this is the way Janesville operates: cronyism. Always has, always will. Certain folks want to fiddle with the traffic pattern, using public money, and so it's going to happen. This mind-set keeps the town small, in many ways.

"They should move the circuit back to Milwaukee and Court streets. Then the downtown merchants could stay open on Saturday night and pretend to be busy, and those of us who shop on Milton Avenue could get our synchronized traffic lights back."
That's what I'M sayin'...

I think sassy is "right on".

Manners, when I posted my comment (#2, btw), there were only about 550 votes "cast" and there was ONE that said "absolutely"...about 500 said "definitely not" and a few that were in the "couldn't care less" category. And ONE post prior to mine...yes, I am certain that people have opinions that don't post comments on here...but the question was posed to Gazette readers. hmmmm. you pointed out QUITE A PICKLE. Perhaps we should have a "real" referrendum on this and see how the city really feels. It's an absolute WASTE of taxpayer money to consider changing to 2-way streets at this point in time. Perhaps when we are looking for things to spend money on, they can re-visit the idea. Until then, how about we try to take care of what REALLY needs fixing around the city and not create new problems?

I still don't see how it could work with them planning on having only one lane of traffic going each way. If a truck stops (double parks) to unload supplies for a half hour at a time, what will the poor souls behind it do? I mean what with texting being against the law while driving now...

I'd like to see this happen, but slowly so people get used to it. Change the signs on one side of the street, wait two weeks so people get used to it, then change the signs on the other side of the street.

The post by janesvillecomments (2:10 AM) is right on, even if intended as a joke. Who was responsible for purposefully shutting down the original Circuit (using our tax money)? That's when the downturn started. Those people should be held accountable for the results of that bad decision. Why did they do that again? Too much traffic downtown?

I would guess that most people that wnat to leave the street as it is, use it to get to the other side of town with speed in mind. Those people are not comeing down town to shop or eat. Janesville city leaders and administrator could take some lesson from the City of Beloit on how to create a welcoming downtown.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

Umm...Ms_sassy, look at the number of people who have answered and the estimated population of this city. (As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 59,498.) It is hardly even close to a representation of our city's feelings. I'm sure the 59,000 other people have opinions on this too.

I'm just sick of all the money businesses and coporations are getting that is our tax dollar. Bush bailed out the Auto and Banking industries, Walker is bailing out private schools (private schools have had a 11% enrollment drop the last decade), local governments have TIFs and just look at all the money that all levels of government gives out in economic grants to start a business to name a few. Now yes, government has are role to foster and initiate job growth. But, nowadays compaines take the money and run.

With all the money corporrations and businesses put into campaigns after the Koch Bros. defeated MaCain/Feingold. It is getting to the point that our elected officials our representing the needs of private business before the need of the people they were elected to serve. So, in essence the people are working for the government not the government working for the people. Just like in a fascist economy. Multinational corporations have States throwing taxpayer money at them to come there. Just look at what Mich. gave GM. We need to fix the tax system so corporation do not get rewarded for moving busness to other countries. Like their profits made overseas being taxed at a lower rate than profits made here. Business need to start concentrating on making a profit by selling goods and services not just stock and if a business make poor decisions they should be allowed to fail.

I consider it far more trusted than I do you, greenst. Still, to some extent, the state pays for the blunders of private enterprise under ANY form of government that allows private enterprise. The only alternative is communism, where the taxpayers are still on the hook, but that such enterprises are owned and operated by the government. What you're arguing is what Fascist governments have done and not necessarily what they stand for. There is a big difference.

"fascism makes taxpayers responsible to private enterprise, because "the State pays for the blunders of private enterprise... Profit is private and individual. Loss is public and social. Fascist governments encouraged the pursuit of private profit and offered many benefits to large businesses." From Wikipedia if we want to consider this a trusted source of information @ mentor397.

And Wikipedia called Fascism a "radical, authoritarian nationlist political ideology." If only they listened to you, @greenst. Silly them!

If any business group wants this to happen like the Chamber of Commerce or Forward Janesville it will. They will say it will creat jobs if we do, or cost jobs if we don't. Then if it doesn't work they will say business in this area need a special tax break, that taxes are the problem. This is what is going on in Maisdon. Knock, knock it Fascim calling. Corporations and business are running this country on the taxpayers dollar.

I do believe it is "harebrained..." Just sayin'

Give the downtown to the wealthy, maybe they can have Paul Ryan come up with a air brain idea to get it going.

Keep spending taxpayers money on dumb unnecessary things such as this project. The city cannot afford it so let the business places on that portion of Milwaukee Street pay for it if they want it so bad. Take a look at the poll results above--does this give you a clue?? Speaks to me. I will be taking Centerway rather than Milwaukee Street and will do all my business on Milton Ave and FORGET going to DOWNTOWN Janesville stores.

Just another dumb project by the city. Just like the stupid frontage road on Milton Avenue. Its impossible to get out onto Milton Avenue at the several intersections involving the frontage road. Or how about the lack of a turn signal on Randall going north or south at Mt. Zion? The bike paths painted on the roads all over town that no one uses, or the idiotic change they made to east Milwaukee street for the bike path crossing. They made it more dangerous at the intersection of Wethering Hills and east Milwaukee. Just dumb!

Take the money for this and up-date the street signs through out the city.

ms_sassy, It's not going to happen (anytime soon anyway). The city council did not fund it.

"Frivolous spending at a time when this city can't afford it."

This is what is wrong with the economy. Our representative's frivolous spending! Keep it up and you will be out next election.

LOL!

They should move the circuit back to Milwaukee and Court streets. Then the downtown merchants could stay open on Saturday night and pretend to be busy, and those of us who shop on Milton Avenue could get our synchronized traffic lights back.

Why not close it off all together. Save all the money. Infact make all roads one way, and save 50% mmmmmm!!!!!!!!!

Interesting how many are opposed to it and how few are in support of it, yet it is going to happen anyway. This is not a wise use of money when the citizens' money is so scarce and the money could be used for citizen-friendly things...and what exactly is the reason again? So people who don't have money will STILL be able to just drive right past the businesses downtown? perfect. what an "improvement"...smh

Frivolous spending at a time when this city can't afford it.