LETTER: We want Gresham back; we're voting yes on the safety levy

Watching our children and their friends grow up in Gresham has been a blessing. Being a business owner in Gresham has been a blessing as well. But Gresham today is not what Gresham was when our kids were younger.

We didn’t worry about our kids walking to their friend’s house or hanging out in Historic Downtown Gresham. We didn’t worry about them driving to school. We didn’t worry about our employees or customers coming to our business. And we never worried that an emergency call to the fire department or police would not be answered.

That has changed. Safety is an issue. We do worry now. In fact, we have changed how and when we shop. We sit at intersections a long time before reacting to the green light making sure that others are following traffic rules. We have extra cameras at our home and business to protect our customers and our property.

We are both tired of living in an unsafe community. We will be voting yes on the fire and police levy. We want more protection. We want to know that the fire department will respond if we need them. We want traffic patrols back. Neither of us are fond of higher taxes, but we are fond of Gresham. We want Gresham back. We’re voting yes.

Steve and Karen Johnston, Gresham