[fintstone]

Originally Posted by David Inc.

For the bolded--how much of the disparity in provision of services do you see in more suburban or urban areas? Interestingly enough there are many very wealthy neighborhoods near me that have dirt or gravel roads, even within 15 miles on downtown Detroit. If areas of poor housing are getting the **** end of the stick close to cities while the wealthy get the best, yes that's a bad use of public funds.

If we're talking remote, rural areas, though? Does it make sense for the public to be on the hook for providing the same infrastructure and services to remote areas that don't provide significant economic benefit?

I really cannot think of any wealthy areas in that county that have dirt/gravel roads. That seems pretty odd (even for Detroit). In general, the state builds and maintains the roads. A state road to a residence in a wealthy part of the state (or county) or to a home in a poorer part of the state (or county) should have equal consideration. The narrow dirt parts are dangerous and very difficult for many cars even without a disaster.

I am not sure how you define "remote, rural areas." They are remote due to poor roads, but people commute to jobs in the city. There are others, but the dirt roads I am talking about are about 15 miles from the center of Asheville as the crow flies or 25 miles by existing roads. I think I have walked every foot of it as I had to walk/hitchhike to or from work/school functions starting in the 7th or 8th grade to my elementary school 6 miles away. Then about 9 more (15 total) to high school and the entire 25 miles to things in the city. After school to Asheville to work was only about 10 miles (actually less ... probably 6 or 7 mi because I only worked on that end of the city). I was already the 15 miles closer because the bus took me to high school. One could almost always get a ride (hitchhiking) for part of the way as a young teen (even late at night coming home) because you looked harmless (and folks felt sorry for you because it was cold/wet).

Yes, the public should be on the hook for the road to poor folks houses the same as for rich ones. Both ay taxes. Some not as much, but after 100 years of taxes, folks should have contributed enough to have a road.