To: Representative Marilyn Avila, Senator Neal Hunt

From: Judy and Fletcher Penn

Re: Wood Valley Drive

Date: 25 November, 2007

Dear Senator Hunt and Representative Avila:

My husband and I have lived at 5013 Wood Valley Drive for 11 years. Approximately 4 weeks ago, the DOT began a project on Wood Valley Drive in what we thought would be repaving and a great improvement to the aging road. They began by patching pot holes..moved on to the destruction of many lawns..and over several weeks, we waited for the final paving to be completed. Much to our surprise, I have just learned that the tar and gravel they put down is being considered as the final product.

Having just received our 2008 Notice of Assessment and Revaluation on our property, I felt compelled to write and voice our concerns over this disgraceful job by the DOT. Instead of improving the roads, they have created a safety hazard for all that utilize the 2 mile stretch of Wood Valley Drive. Residents utilize Wood Valley Drive to walk, bike, skate and enter and exit the neighborhood. Others utilize Wood Valley Drive as a thruway to and from 540. My husband and I can no longer safely ride our bikes or walk our dogs on our own street. Strollers can no longer be pushed, several bike riders have fallen, pedestrians are being pummeled with dust and gravel as they walk, and cars are being damaged by the debris.

Although the road was aging, it was certainly in much better shape to handle the traffic and activity than it is now. The DOT has created a safety hazard, not to mention the devaluation of our neighborhood. I can't imagine what the decision making process was to put tar and gravel down in a neighborhood where houses average $400,000-$500,000, but we will certainly be appealing the latest property tax notice, as I hope many of our neighbors will.

I would appreciate if you can let us know your plans in assisting us in assuring that the DOT will repave Wood Valley Drive, rather than treating our neighborhood as a low-income trailer park in a rural community.

REPLY from Representative Avila:

To: Mr. and Mrs. Penn

From: Representative Avila

Re: Wood Valley Drive

Date: 1 December, 2007

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Penn,

Thanks for getting in touch about the situation of the paving of Wood Valley Drive. I have gotten some answers to questions and hope to get next week the last pieces of info we need in order to begin the resolution of the problem. Please bear with us just a little longer.

Kindest regards, Marilyn