Roundabouts out

GREEN BAY - A dozen people showed up before the council meeting carrying signs, urging the council to listen to the public.

"We do not need those roundabouts," one citizen said, summing for the feeling for the majority of the people at the meeting. For the last three meetings, people have packed the chambers to stop roundabouts on Military Avenue. This time, they succeeded.

After three hours of debate the council voted 10 to 2 to rebuild the road with four lanes and stop lights. Council President Chris Wery, who has been a staunch supporter of roundabouts, was the first to switch his position early Tuesday. He brought up the idea of putting in stoplights. Alderman Tony Theisen and Tom Weber voted against the stop lights.

"I think it became pretty clear when I talked with businesses and people, they were gonna push it farther. They weren't gonna let it go tonight," Wery said after the vote.

For the last week, there was talk about an attempt to recall some aldermen, including Wery, over the issue. Wery said that had nothing to do with his decision. "They can bring that anyday, doesn't phase me. That's dirty," Wery said.

Other members of the council who had previously supported roundabouts also changed their positions and supported the stop lights.

"It is what it is and I will support rebuilding Military Avenue," said alderman Dan Piton.

Business owners and residents were pleased the council finally decided to put in stop lights.

"A victory for taxpayers, for the community as a whole and I think finally it make a difference and they listened," said Judy Lindbom.

"As businesses, the economy's tough. We're all working hard to stay afloat. We're gonna have a year of construction where there's gonna be limited traffic to our businesses. We need this project done so highway 41 traffic flows through Military," said Bryan Boettcher, president of the Military Avenue Business Association.

Construction on highway 41 will begin in 2011. The Military Avenue project will be done in 2010.

There was an attempt to add two roundabouts to the plan but that vote ended 6-6. The mayor broke the tie against the roundabouts saying if the city would have to acquire property for the roundabouts and that could cause a delay.

"This is the most time sensitive project we have. Anything short of what was done tonight, the four-lane signalized, could've caused a delay. This project can not be delayed. We have to get it done. We need to get it done next year," Schmitt said.

Some residents wanted six lanes on Military instead of the four. But many say they'd live with the four lanes as long as there were no roundabouts.