The Aberdeen City Council at its regular meeting Monday approved the first reading of a capital improvement budget to change main street in downtown Aberdeen from a one way to a two way. The vote was 5-4. Council members Alan Johnson, Talmage Ekanger, Charlotte Liebelt and Rob Roynane all voted against the motion. Councilmembers Rich Ward, Erin Fouberg, Chad Nilson, David Novstrop and Aberdeen Mayor Travis Schaunaman voted yes.
The motion that was approved 6-3, establishing northbound and southbound lanes of traffic without a left turn lane onto sixth avenue.
Those who voted no:
Councilman Alan Johnson does not feel there is public support for this change and that the council is in their own bubble regarding the issue…
Councilman Talmage Ekanger does not see the logic regarding changing from a one way to a two-way…
Councilwoman Charlotte Liebelt claims the vast majority of voters in her district are against the change…
Councilman Rob Ronayne is for the change, but feels it should be done in the future when the city will need to undergo major infrastructure projects in downtown…
Those who voted for:
Councilman Rich Ward says it does not make sense to have one, one way and no other one ways in the area…
Councilwoman Erin Fouberg says the deal they will be voting on is a compromise, taking into account concerns from those who oppose the change…
Councilman Chad Nilson says the two-way is not a solution to downtown Aberdeen’s problems but it is part of the solution…
Councilman David Novstrop says he listened to those who oppose…
Aberdeen Mayor Travis Schaunaman cast the tie breaking vote in favor, saying the time is now to invest in downtown Aberdeen…
Brent Fischer who has owned Don’s Builders Hardware for 40 years in downtown Aberdeen has been adamantly opposed to the change and says he and other residents against the change are prepared to bring this to a public vote…
