Read this memo which summarizes viewpoints regarding re–opening a section of a major street. From: David Quan
Maple Township Council Member
To: Council Members and Interested Constituents
Subject: Re–opening Campus Drive

As you know, we agreed at our last council session to continue our study of issues surrounding the possible re–opening of Campus Drive, the public street that runs behind the high school campus. At that meeting I volunteered to summarize the arguments council members have received during open hearings and from e–mails, letters, editorials, and letters to the editor of our local newspaper. You will need to judge for yourself if I have held myself to the standard of a fair, objective analysis of the pros and cons of re–opening the street. I have done my best.

Those who are against the re–opening make the following points. The street, which runs parallel to the campus, would require additional crossing guards, an added expense for the township. Our local police would be needed to enforce the school zone speed limit, bicycle helmet laws, and rules for pedestrian walkways if the street were re–opened. Those arguing against the re–opening say that the additional duties could stretch the services of our already–reduced local law enforcement.– Others bring up the cost of repaving the street and repairing some sections of the sidewalks, plus installing the necessary traffic lights and signage. Finally, some residents point out the danger of re–opening the street which was closed in 2002 after two accidents on the street, one immediately before school and one following dismissal that sent several high school students to the hospital.

Those in favor of re–opening the street behind the high school also make several arguments. They say that the school and the township have experienced a population surge, and the community needs the street to alleviate some of the traffic congestion since it is only the section of Campus Drive behind the high school that is closed. Re–opening the street would reinstate the use of a major east–west thoroughfare. They also point out that the street would provide additional access to the high school campus since the street closure in 2002 also blocked the entrance to an auxiliary student parking lot and a second gate into the campus. Opening both of these would provide greater safety by eliminating the current traffic jams as multiple groups converge on the same area twice a day. This group in favor of re–opening the street says the current situation is dangerous with parents dropping off or picking up students, staff driving in and out of the same parking lot, pedestrians crossing in front of cars, and students—some only recently having received driving permits—trying to enter the student lot. Proponents of the re–opening argue that funds for repairs and additional police service hours could be raised through a one year property tax increase of about twenty–five dollars per household.

I hope this summary assists you as you weigh multiple viewpoints regarding this issue. Several places I have used the term "group" to characterize the opponents and the proponents of the re–opening. In truth, I did not find any organized groups, but rather individuals who fell into the pro or con camp—or as I called them, "group."

Assume a role, possibly as a township member or high school student. Use the information in the above text to write your own two paragraph argument in which you state a clear stance regarding the re–opening of the street, cite evidence from the text, point out strengths and limitations of points made, and anticipate your audience's needs.