(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Amelia', 'last_name' => 'Nutter', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => 'Asheville', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'I would hate for business owners to close their stores so that cars can drive a little faster', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Katie', 'last_name' => 'Murray', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'I live off of Fairview Rd. where two children were killed by simply trying to cross a road, and you\'re trying to clone this dangerous design for Merrimon', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'April', 'last_name' => 'Brown', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'The proposed designs must be re-evaluated...Several existing COA plans were not incorporated into NCDOT’s proposed Merrimon improvements ', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Emily', 'last_name' => 'Muscarella', 'neighborhood' => 'West Asheville Estates', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => 'Asheville', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'We want safe roads with the focus on moving all people, all modes! I strongly encourage you to listen to the voice of the Asheville community', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Jamie', 'last_name' => 'Gilpin', 'neighborhood' => 'North Asheville Community', 'street_address' => '174 Brookwood Rd', 'city' => 'Asheville', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '28806', 'comment_date' => 'January 23, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'My father (Jim Gilpin) collaborated with Jay Swain before my father retired from the US Forest Service. He has spoken highly of Jay, and I\'m sure that Jay would be reasonable in addressing ...', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Alex', 'last_name' => 'Deckard', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'I worry if Merrimon is redesigned to allow faster cars more pedestrians will get hurt or even die. I\'d love to see Asheville become a pedestrian-friendly city.', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Emily', 'last_name' => 'Kujawa', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => 'Asheville', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 25, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'I am disappointed and extremely concerned by the total lack of engagement with the City of Asheville, the lack of proposed alternatives... bicyclists effectively fending for themselves...', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Aimee', 'last_name' => 'Ellingsen', 'neighborhood' => 'North Asheville Community', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 28, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'NCDOT should instead be planning for a complete street that increases safety for the many walkers and cyclists...', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Carolina', 'last_name' => 'Allured', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => 'Asheville', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'please remember we the people (who vote) work her, ride here, walk her shop, raise kids etc…', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Chris', 'last_name' => 'Craig', 'neighborhood' => 'Kenilworth', 'street_address' => '4 Bowling Park Rd', 'city' => 'Asheville', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '28803', 'comment_date' => 'January 20, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'The proposed plan would increase traffic speeds dangerously, making neighborhood pedestrian and bicycle use more difficult and less likely. ', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Alyson', 'last_name' => 'West', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'this website lays out the many reasons why https://ashevilleonbikes.com/input-needed-on-ncdot-merrimon-avenue-widening-project
', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Sarah', 'last_name' => 'Fraser', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => 'Asheville', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'These types of changes to the roadway will increase traffic speeds resulting in more accidents and increased danger to pedestrians and cyclists', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Brooke', 'last_name' => 'Heaton', 'neighborhood' => 'West Asheville Estates', 'street_address' => '217 Brucemont Circle', 'city' => 'Asheville', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '28806', 'comment_date' => 'January 12, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'I am dismayed by the lack of collaboration and coordination with existing local plans', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => '', 'last_name' => '', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 18, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'I do have some concerns re the Merrimon Ave Widening Project.  I will list some of them here...', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Jon', 'last_name' => 'Sarver', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 22, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'I have lived in Asheville 28 years and I have spent lots of time traveling that section of Merriman Ave by car and bicycle.  I encourage the NCDOT to work with the City of Asheville and concerned...', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Rachel', 'last_name' => 'Herndon', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 22, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'I am dismayed at the lack of safety on roads to promote inclusion of bicyclists. Even the lack of simple sidewalks for pedestrians is noteworthy.', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Connect', 'last_name' => 'Buncombe', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'We request alternatives to the Project that would fulfill connections of our existing greenways, and provide for the safety needs of all street
users...automotive, transit, bicyclists, and pedestrians', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Nick', 'last_name' => 'Kroncke', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 12, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'The widening will increase motor vehicle speeds on this road and discourage active transportation, which is directly against the goals of NCDOT and the municipality.', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'David', 'last_name' => 'Vorhees', 'neighborhood' => 'Norwood Park', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 21, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'Rather than fast for some, we need the full scope of the neighborhood addressed:  pedestrian, residential based, parks, greenway, bicycle friendly and safe for all.', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Mary ', 'last_name' => 'Buttitta', 'neighborhood' => 'North Asheville Community', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 23, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'I might be in favor of a plan that takes into consideration what the citizens of Asheville want, which so far have been ignored by the DOT. I might favor a plan that connects the greenway and ...', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Viginia', 'last_name' => 'Bower', 'neighborhood' => 'Kenilworth', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 17, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'Many bikes use Merrimon, and pedestrians use it at their own risk. Is there no concern for either of these travelers? Even though both have met fateful ends in trying to get down the avenue?', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Michele', 'last_name' => 'Dohse', 'neighborhood' => 'Five Points', 'street_address' => '66 Montview Dr', 'city' => 'Asheville', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '28801', 'comment_date' => 'January 20, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'I attended the public meeting on January 8 with a long list of questions, few if any of which were satisfactorily answered. I saw very little that I deemed would “enhance safety.”', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Lisa', 'last_name' => 'Neylan', 'neighborhood' => 'Murdock/Linden', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 21, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'I have almost been hit by cars turning left from W.T. Weaver several times. Merrimon is already dangerous enough, we do not need to increase the volume and speed of traffic.', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Jen', 'last_name' => 'Woodward', 'neighborhood' => 'Five Points', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'It’s apparent that NCDOT did little, if anything at all, to incorporate existing city plans or ... COA ... staff and the corridor community in the development of the current plan...', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Nanci', 'last_name' => 'Flippin', 'neighborhood' => 'North Asheville Community', 'street_address' => '29 Elias Place', 'city' => 'Asheville', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '28804', 'comment_date' => 'January 27, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'It makes much more sense for Merrimon to be a "complete" street which provides for vehicular as well as non-motorized traffic and is much more consistent with being part of a neighborhood', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Louise', 'last_name' => 'Anderson', 'neighborhood' => 'Norwood Park', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'To be able to speed through a stretch of several blocks doesn\'t serve either people who use the road or neighborhoods', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Jen ', 'last_name' => 'Rhode Ward', 'neighborhood' => 'North Asheville Community', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'I hope that a plan to reduce vehicle speeds, and to increase pedestrian / bike safety, will be implemented instead.', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Geneva', 'last_name' => 'Bierce-Wilson', 'neighborhood' => 'North Asheville Community', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => 'Asheville', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 26, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'On a separate occasion another dear friend was hit by a left turning car as he walked in the crosswalk with a walk signal. As this street is already too dangerous, the idea of widening it further...', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Tara', 'last_name' => 'O\'Loughlin', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'I am an avid biker...I have ridden this section of road as it is now and I find it a troublesome stretch of road. I have done so out of necessity, and the entire time that I am riding it...', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Claudia', 'last_name' => 'Nix', 'neighborhood' => 'Kenilworth', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => 'Asheville', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '28803', 'comment_date' => 'January 13, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'The city has been recognized as a bronze level bicycle friendly community and silver level as a pedestrian friendly community.  We are trying to improve these classifications', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Coalter ', 'last_name' => 'Lathrop', 'neighborhood' => 'Chestnut Hills', 'street_address' => '45 Austin Avenue', 'city' => 'Asheville', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '28801', 'comment_date' => 'January 24, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'I write as a motorist, cyclist and pedestrian who lives one block off Merrimon... I also write as a parent of two Asheville City School students who must cross Merrimon every day to access their bus', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Matt', 'last_name' => 'Pickett', 'neighborhood' => 'North Asheville Community', 'street_address' => '55 Fenner Ave', 'city' => 'Asheville ', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '28801', 'comment_date' => 'January 28, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'My biggest concern is that a 5-lane design does not take into account pedestrian or bicycle traffic.  I bike commute to work 1-2 days per week on Merrimon Ave...', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Nancy', 'last_name' => 'Hines', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 28, 2018', 'pullquote' => '​The meager  2\'bike ​lanes will also ​be ​part of the gutter! At present Lakeview Park has a poor \'walk score\' of 52. We should improve this, not decrease it.', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Bill', 'last_name' => 'Helfrich', 'neighborhood' => 'Grace', 'street_address' => '40 Lakeshore Dr', 'city' => 'Asheville', 'state' => 'NC', 'zipcode' => '28801', 'comment_date' => 'January 28, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'I\'ve been in the Yolo/Luella\'s parking area and the Yolo front yard along Merrimon everyday for last 18 months...This is currently one of the most family and bicycle friendly places along Merrimon...', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Kari', 'last_name' => 'Richmond', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => '"I strongly prefer a dedicated bicycle lane with physical barriers against motor vehicles.  We also must have wider and more frequently placed pedestrian crossings..."', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Cisco', 'last_name' => 'Pilates', 'neighborhood' => 'Five Points', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => '"I cross Merrimon regularly on my bicycle or on foot. It is dangerous already. A pedestrian was killed not far from where I live crossing Merrimon..."', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Patricia', 'last_name' => 'Robbins', 'neighborhood' => 'null', 'street_address' => '', 'city' => '', 'state' => 'null', 'zipcode' => '', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'My husband spent his 35 year career as an Urban/Transportation Planner for the NYSDOT. His specific role was to assure accommodation for cyclists and pedestrians in any engineering... ', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Nanci', 'last_name' => 'Mackey', 'neighborhood' => 'Chestnut Hills', 'street_address' => '104 North Liberty St ', 'state' => 'NC', 'comment_date' => 'January 27, 2018', 'pullquote' => '"We would love a safe way to ride our bikes to the many wonderful local businesses just up this community road"', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', )

(object) array( 'first_name' => 'Amy', 'last_name' => 'Kemp', 'neighborhood' => 'Chestnut Hills', 'street_address' => '25 North Liberty St', 'state' => 'NC', 'comment_date' => 'January 29, 2018', 'pullquote' => 'Residents living along or near Merrimon Ave deserve safe access to its businesses by any means they choose, whether it be car, bike, or on foot.', 'for_against' => 'Against', 'permission_to_publish' => true, 'event_date' => '', 'city' => 'Asheville', 'zipcode' => '28801', )