Photo by John Talbot.
Since the season is once again upon us (early this year!) we decided to compile a list of all present city official’s comments on snow clearing, as plucked from our election questionnaire. Just in case they forgot or something.
Dennis O’Keefe (Mayor):
Sidewalk snow clearing priority: 8
“Sidewalk snow clearing is very important. That is why I hope to enhance it again in 2010. We had the first major broadening of the program this year as a result of my request to Council through Public Works. It will open the city to walkers, encourage healthy living and make our streets safer.”
Shannie Duff (Deputy mayor)
Sidewalk snow clearing priority: 10
“High priority as an are for improvement. The limiting factors are cost, and climate.”
Danny Breen (Ward 1)
Sidewalk snow clearing priority: 10
“Sidewalk clearing and ice control are very important. The current program needs to be expanded so that people can walk safely in the winter months.”
Frank Galgay (Ward 2)
Sidewalk snow clearing priority: 10
“Very important to downtown pedestrian residents.”
Bruce Tilley (Ward 3)
Sidewalk snow clearing priority: 10
Debbie Hanlon (Ward 4)
Sidewalk snow clearing priority: 10
“The safety of our citizens is our number 1 priority.”
Wally Collins (Ward 5)
Sidewalk snow clearing priority: 10
Tom Hann (At Large)
Sidewalk snow clearing priority: 5
He recently commented that the present system is the “Cadillac” of systems, see our live blog.
Sandy Hickman (At Large)
Sidewalk snow clearing priority: 10
“Pushed hard for this and support expansion for this coming winter.”
Sheilagh O’Leary (At Large)
Sidewalk snow clearing priority: 9
“The only reason this doesn’t have a “10” for me is because obviously we can survive without it, however unhappily and dangerously. A combination of city equipment and encouraging residents to be responsible for their own sidewalks would go a long way to making our sidewalks passable year round.”
December 10th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
That’s all well and good but they should let public works know of its importance. The protocol (unless it’s changed this year) was to clear streets first then work on sidewalks.
It seems reasonable to me that a road or sidewalk should be given priority based on its usage. For instance, I expect more people walk on Elizabeth than drive on Dorset so sidewalks on Elizabeth should be given priority over Dorset street.
Waiting for some random small streets to be cleared before the sidewalks around MUN on Elizabeth Ave get done doesn’t seem right to me.
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 10th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
What planet is Tom Hann living on?
You’d think this Cadillac of sidewalk snow clearing systems would have the capacity to clear at least one extra sidewalk besides Water Street. I’ve been jumping into snowbanks all day.
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 10th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I’m glad all these council members are giving mostly 10’s… but now how come there is still snow all over the most popularly used sidewalks? It’s easy for someone to say they want something to change. Quite different to actually change it I guess.
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 11th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Sheilagh O’Leary hit the nail on the head. There’s only so much that can be done without city equipment, but it would be a big help if more people could be bothered to clear a few feet of sidewalk when they’re out shoveling their front steps. This was the only sensible comment from any of the councillors.
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 11th, 2009 at 8:46 am
I was appalled when I returned from Calgary, where it is by-law to clear your sidewalks, to St. John’s, where I have almost lost my life several occassions from having to walk in the street with the traffic. It is not only a shame, but a sad indication of how little we value our citizens. Especially our older ones who rely on public transportation to get around. Many times, cars have beeped their horns at me, and yelled at me to get off the road and out of their way. Winter time is a nerve wrecking experience for those of us without cars. I’m surprised there haven’t been more accidents.
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 11th, 2009 at 9:26 am
I’m sorry, but the lack of sidewalk is not acceptable in a city environment in winter. To suggest, as Councillor O’Leary has done, that citizens should be responsible for clearing the sidewalks in front of their homes is neither practical or always possible. Not to mention that, before long, there’s simply nowhere to put the snow.
I have to walk to work daily and it’s times like these when I am seriously concerned for my safety.
I don’t think people who are not walking the streets in winter are fully understanding how dangerous it is; I’m not just afraid I’ll be hit by a car–I’m afraid I’ll slip on the slush and ice and fall into the path of an oncoming car. And I’m a robust 34-year-old with no mobility impairments.
In fact, I slipped and fell on my way to work this morning.
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 11th, 2009 at 10:35 am
After the last snowfall I’m not 100% sure clearing the roads is much of a priority.
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 11th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
In the winter we have too much snow and in the summer we don’t have enough water. Too bad we can’t keep some of this moisture around until we need it.
But, yes, if you somehow have space for the snow and can keep it off the roads, I think keeping your own sidewalk clear is a big help to everyone. It keeps the mail moving!
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 12th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Snow clearing of sidewalks is a complete and utter joke. An unholy accident waiting to happen. Email these guys and tell them you think this (http://thescope.ca/city/how-much-of-a-priority-is-sidewalk-snow-clearing-for-st-johns-city-council). Even one line sends a message…
I have lived in Montreal, where every single side street and back alley is kept clear ninety-percent of the entire winter, and Hull/Gatineau, where one sidewalk on every street is kept clear.
What we have is a total embarrassment. You cannot walk continuously along a sidewalk without meeting a snowbank, corners are not cleared, the clearing that is done is lumpy and icy, and not even main thoroughfares are clear fast enough (or ever) even around MUN. This is not funny.
I think it’s time to break out the lawsuits.
These guys don’t care because there is no pain attached to them: a lawsuit will make them wake up. It is either that or wait until the day finally comes when a child is killed. Disgusting.
If you’re a lawyer reading this, please consider organizing a class action suit. It’s not good enough and we are not going to stand for it. If you are a councillor reading this — be warned.
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 12th, 2009 at 11:27 am
O’Keefe tooting his own horn about our current sidewalk clearing program is a joke to anyone who has actually walked on a sidewalk in the winter here in St. John’s.
I hope that it doesn’t take someone getting killed by a car to change the mentality surrounding sidewalk clearing. We spend millions of dollars to keep the roads clean for people who have cars to drive around in, while those who cannot afford, or make the choice not to have a car, are literally stuck out in the cold.
We are currently in the review process for the 2010 budget, so if people think that snow clearing needs to be a priority, I suggest contacting a member of council to ensure your voice is heard. An expensive proposition like sidewalk clearing is one that will be easy to push to the side if council is not given the impression that it is something that the public wants, and needs.
Contact information for Council can be found here:
http://www.stjohns.ca/cityhall/council.jsp
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 12th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Hmmm, it’s easy for Sheilagh O’Leary to say that one can ’survive without it.’ She’s not in the position of being unable to afford a car; and hence, having to either walk or take a bus everywhere. If the city can afford to drive a huge tractor over some of the sidewalks (which doesn’t properly plow them) then why not use a real plow instead? St. John’s appears to be the only provincial capital city in Canada that doesn’t feel it is a priority to get this done.
It’s really a shame. this is a lovely city, even in winter, but it is literally impossible to get around without risking being on the street. I’m a marathon runner and I need to train, so i will take my chances; and heck, I need to get to the grocery store twice a week just like everyone else, not to mention, 3-5 trips to the swimming pool every week. …and I am pretty good about dodging traffic, at least so far, even in this city that appears to be full of some of the worst drivers in the country that I have ever seen (and believe me, I would know as I have lived and run all over the country).
But many others aren’t so road savy. Many children and seniors can’t afford to drive cars but they have to get around town too. and with the way things are now, it is quite common to see people slipping and falling on the ice. i’ve taken my share of falls, having severely torn ligaments in 2 fingers breaking a fall last year. Falls have been known to kill seniors. do we have to start filing injury law suits against the city to get their attention on this issue? As much as i love this place, I will not live here when I become a senior if this continues. Hmmm, and what about all the dog-walkers? Dogs appear to be a very important part of this town, and you can’t walk a dog by driving it around in a car!
…and gee, all this work by the province to promote NL as a tourism destination. this is definitely going to hurt that. Hmmm, maybe the province would like to chip in a few bucks to make this work?
…and what makes it worse is that we have so many bad drivers in this city: speeding drivers, cell-phone-talking drivers, drunk drivers, drivers who are trying to eat fast food while they drive, rude drivers that take their eyes off the road so they can harass runners, etc.. and on the other hand, many timid drivers who are just as much of a road hazard as the aggressive ones. If the city wants pedestrians to share the roads with the cars during the winter, then at the very least, they should reduce the speed limits by 10-20km/h to make things at least a little bit safer.
……and finally, given that our city has one of the highest obesity rates in the country, clearing sidewalks would make it easier for all these folks to get outside for a little exercise instead of taking their cars everywhere. Reducing the obesity rates in town will take a strain off the health care system! Other provinces are putting together government-funded health-promotion projects. Let’s get something like this going on here! Hmmmm, if you like this idea and are looking for someone to spearhead the program, get in touch. I’m currently looking for work and I’d love to be a part of something like this!
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 13th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Who wants to take one for the team and get hit by a car to get things moving?? haha
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 13th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Walking around this city in winter is like navigating some type of cruel obstacle course. I’m not sure if drivers know what we’re doing in the road but many of them react with hostility, often speeding away once they’re in the clear, sometimes fishtailing. As a pedestrian In St. John’s I feel unimportant and unsafe.
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 14th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Sheilagh’s suggestion is well meant, but completely impractical. I am neither lazy nor inconsiderate, but I cannot imagine how I would pull this off.
I live in Georgestown, and have a bit of front lawn, more than any of my neighbours. As a result, the city uses this space as the snow pile for the whole street. It is nothing for a rock hard pile eight feet high, as there is today, to get pushed up against the front of my house.
Last Monday I had to pay a plow operator to come move some of it around, as it was too hard to shovel or snow blow, and I could not even get to my front steps. If the snow was the same amount found on my back steps, I would have no issue keeping the sidewalk clean. Thanks to the city using my yard as the local dump, however, I cannot even find the sidewalk, it is buried underneath six feet of rock hard salted glacier. If the city does tell me to clear my sidewalk, I am going to have to chip it off, bring it inside, and put it in the bloody bathtub, as there is literally nowhere else for it to go.
If we want clean sidewalks in the downtown, we are talking about increasing the current snow removal- dump it in the harbour- process. That means either more taxes or cutting somewhere else.
That is the real discussion that needs to take place.
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 14th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
If all the councilors value sidewalk clearing so much why don’t they do something to improve it :P
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 15th, 2009 at 9:30 am
I think we should disable the councillors cars. When they have to walk in this they will see just what we have to go through. I have had an ankle and knee replacement and have trouble walking. Once this snow is on the sidewalk i am stuck in my house unless i can get a ride to do whatever i need to do.
Maybe it is time we start a petition to have all these idiots removed from council and we start new. it obvious they dont care about anyone except themselves. It alos time we sue the city of st.john’s for endangering our lives. Everyone here should sign on to a lawsuit against the city. Force the bums to do their jobs.
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 16th, 2009 at 10:33 am
We could make it into a game like Survivor…
We take away their cars for a week and they have to complete challenges like grocery shopping, laundry at Mighty Whites, doctor’s appointments with 2 little kids, etc, all while slogging through the snow, slipping on ice, getting sprayed with slush, and leaping into snowbanks to avoid jerk drivers…
May the best councillor win!
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 16th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
aaahahahhaha. Cable 9 will have some pretty high ratings
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 17th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Survivor Post wins!
Survivor: SlushPlanet could air right after the Council Meetings, and Erin Sulley could host.
I’ve got $20 on Debbie.
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)
December 19th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
They always say it’s a lack of money but I cannot believe that St. John’s has less to work with than any other comparable municipality.
The snow clearing is incompetent and someone needs to teach the workers how to do their job. Three winters ago, I had an operator use my driveway as a dumping ground and the city refused to come and move the nine foot high mountain of ice boulders they left blocking access to my driveway and the entrance to my home. It’s a bit hard to imagine such insulting stupidity.
Honestly, if Mount Pearl, Halifax, Moncton, Quebec City and more can keep their citizens safe without taxing them into oblivion, what’s wrong with us?
(Report above comment as off-topic, spam, false, or abusive.)