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Highway 61 correspondence and documents, 1968-1974

1968-07-01 Fort Madison Evening Democrat Letter to the Editor form Miss Virginia Harper Page 1

720 - 7th Street
Fort Madison, Iowa
July 1, 1968

Letters to the Editor
Evening Democrat
Fort Madison, Iowa 52627

Dear Sir;

There has been and continues to be much discussion about the new routing of Highway 61. Of all of the people who have spoken, to me, only one person favored the project. I am fully aware of the fact that the Mayor, the City Council and the Chamber of Commerce are in favor of the new route. 

I also read the letters which were written by Mr. Bolden and Mr. Hug. There were many valid questions in Mr. Bolden's letter, which, in all fairness to those who will be most affected, should be answered. Just what will happen to the people whose homes will be confiscated in what is no more or less than a form of urban renewal?

Everyone is well aware of the fact that the 'city fathers' are not in the "housing business". Yet, to shrug off the fact that there are no houses or apartments available with a statement such as that, is tantamount to 'hiding ones head in the sand'. However, since the city is not in the "housebuilding business", the 'powers that be' have a moral responsibility to the citizens of this community. The Mayor and Council members are elected to represent the people of the different wards,...not betray them. 

We all know there is a shortage of housing in Fort Madison, as well as a lack of acreage for building new homes within the corporate limits of the city. Even if the financial compensation is adequate, where will these people buy?

I sincerely doubt that it can be logically proven that a study made in 1960 and completed in 1962 can be considered a valid reason for approval of a plan which will be put into effect in 1972 or

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720 - 7th Street Fort Madison, Iowa July 1, 1968 Letters to the Editor Evening Democrat Fort Madison, Iowa 52627 Dear Sir; There has been and continues to be much discussion about the new routing of Highway 61. Of all of the people who have spoken, to me, only one person favored the project. I am fully aware of the fact that the Mayor, the City Council and the Chamber of Commerce are in favor of the new route. I also read the letters which were written by Mr. Bolden and Mr. Hug. There were many valid questions in Mr. Bolden's letter, which, in all fairness to those who will be most affected, should be answered. Just what will happen to the people whose homes will be confiscated in what is no more or less than a form of urban renewal? Everyone is well aware of the fact that the 'city fathers' are not in the "housing business". Yet, to shrug off the fact that there are no houses or apartments available with a statement such as that, is tantamount to 'hiding ones head in the sand'. However, since the city is not in the "housebuilding business", the 'powers that be' have a moral responsibility to the citizens of this community. The Mayor and Council members are elected to represent the people of the different wards,...not betray them. We all know there is a shortage of housing in Fort Madison, as well as a lack of acreage for building new homes within the corporate limits of the city. Even if the financial compensation is adequate, where will these people buy? I sincerely doubt that it can be logically proven that a study made in 1960 and completed in 1962 can be considered a valid reason for approval of a plan which will be put into effect in 1972 or