Small Town News

Bright lights, big city

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More than a year ago, city officials came up with the, err, bright idea to save a bunch of money by turning off street lights.

The plan originally called for turning off about 170 lights in three phases. The disconnect cost would be some $2, 000 to $3, 000, but the long-term savings would be about $27, 000 per year.

Then the number of lights to be turned off went down to 114 at an estimated savings of $20, 000.

That was then and this is now.

The savings have not been nearly as much as was expected, but city commissioners decided to push ahead with the program and will turn off another 36 streetlights south of Cota Street to the city limits.

It turns out that Shelton is not alone in this novel approach to saving a little bit of money. A small smattering of cities across the country are doing the same thing.

But does it make sense or does it just make cents?

Local police officials have consistently said that the lights being turned off won't have a negative impact on crime. Supporters, for example, argue that the Wallace Kneeland Blvd. corridor is well lit enough that city lights are redundant.

Perhaps there are some areas that don't need city lights anymore, but we tend to think that there are many more that do.

Shelton isn't a booming metropolis, but it is a place a city that we are proud to call home. City lights are important to residents and visitors alike. They make us feel safe and make the town we call home more inviting.

We've already got crumbling streets, we certainly don't need to be in the dark now, too.

Mayor John Tarrant has consistenly raised doubts about the program. We hope he continues to do so and is able to convince his colleagues to see the light.



Copyright 2011 Shelton-Mason County Journal, Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 Shelton-Mason County Journal Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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