| | Published February 18th, 2008
| Happy Ending in Happy Valley
| | By Cathy Tyson |  | | Side walk on Happy Valley Drive Photo Cathy Tyson
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In a heroic effort, Happy Valley residents came up with $20,000 to co-fund the realignment of the sidewalk on Happy Valley Drive. Bill Bucher, President of the Happy Valley Improvement Association was very straightforward, "We don't want promises or e-mails, we want checks."
Approximately a dozen Happy Valley Elementary students made their case to the City Council: "We don't think it's very safe with the path so close to the street. One of our very good friends got hit by a car." One young lady mentioned that, "when trucks drive by they blow your hair."
Mayor Tatzin said he checked it out and joked that if he had more hair it would have blown too with the passage of a speeding truck.
Back in October, residents of the Happy Valley area asked that their newly improved pedestrian pathway from Franklin Lane to Vallory Lane be moved farther away from the street. The new pathway is, "fully compliant with current standards and practices, and is consistent with similar facilities citywide that have operated without any known history of safety issues," according to a staff report. Still residents strongly preferred to have the pathway moved farther away from the road.
Because the city had just paid for the improvements, Council Members were reluctant to spend more money reconfiguring the sidewalk, but were concerned about pedestrian safety, so they cut a deal. If residents could come up with a substantial sum, the city would match it. The relocation is estimated to cost $56,000; there is a $16,000 in grant money remaining for the pathway. Generous neighbors came up with $20,000 in donations, so the pathway got the green light.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA