The Highway 49 bypass project was one that took longer than anyone could have imagined. With that understanding, one would think that the 80-plus years it took to get the project to completion would mean that all parties involved would be satisfied with the result.

However, much like the beautiful bump caused from ground settling by the bridge, other bumps exist that should be corrected.

My first look back at the bypass came when the county started discussing naming of the bridges, or bridge, as it were. For my own part, I felt the Allen family, who donated the property to see the bypass constructed, deserved recognition for both their assistance with the bypass project and a myriad other donations and services the family has freely given to Amador County over its rich history.

And so it was, I went to visit the Allen family only to find they had questions not regarding recognition, but on items they had requested during the process of constructing the bypass.

Mainly, they had asked for four roads, not curbs and lights, but access roads for their ranch so they could continue to maintain their lands. Somewhere in the final hours, and to push the bypass through Caltrans, this request was tossed aside. And so, the Allen family found themselves donating massive lands to see the bypass come to fruition without getting some very simple items they had requested in return.

One would think the county, Caltrans or the Amador County Transportation Commission would provide an answer, or better, a solution to this problem. But no such luck. I guess in their eyes, the project is complete and they have moved on to the next project.

In reviewing documents provided by the Allen family, I believe the oversight occurred when Amador County agreed to a no-growth model on the bypass, thus limiting the access or service roads onto the bypass. But regardless of how the oversight occurred, it is one that should be answered for and corrected.

As for the naming of the bridges and the bypass, while the Allen family has made no formal requests that I am aware of, I can't help but think that Amador County would see this as an opportunity to celebrate a family that has done and continues to do a great deal for Amador County.

George E. Allen gave his life for our country on Nov. 15, 1944. Certainly, this supreme sacrifice for our freedom and country deserves recognition.

That being said, the entire Allen family has a rich history of giving lands and services to Amador County for a brighter future for all of us. So if someone who has been here less then 10 years can learn the history of the Allen family, why is it long-time, multi-generational families have not spoken up to this issue or the lost histories of their own families? My guess would be that, like so many of these important family names, they go about building a brighter future for Amador and don't stop and ask what is in it for them. They focus more on what they can do to assist and help out neighbors and friends, and all of the places they call home.

That is honorable. In my own opinion, we've lost sight of these gifts and turned our backs on a family that has continually supported and strived to improve our county and our country. I sincerely hope that, as a community, we take the time to honor this great family and also answer and fix some issues that have recently occurred.

We should be doing everything in our power to get the Allens the recognition they deserve, as well as settling some problems we created. Because if the shoe was on the other foot, I guarantee you, this is what the Allen family would do.