Due to COVID-19, people are staying home more — and they are going for more walks. At least that is the working theory at city hall as Newton city staff deal with an influx of sidewalk safety complaints. “We have had a plethora of sidewalk complaints come in that we did not have,” said Kelly McElroy, city manager. “They are home, they are out and walking in their neighborhood for the first time in (perhaps) many years. They are excising, and we love that piece of this.” The numbers are shocking. This year there have been 98 complaints, factoring in the 11 from Wednesday. In 2019, there were 22. In 2017 and 2018 combined, there were 25.
Source: Newton Kansan
