snow removal

Citizen from Bozeman comments on snow gates

l3wis February 10, 2011 2Comments

From my comment que;

Bozeman MT has snow gates on every one of their motor graders and always plow with them every time it snows. We wouldn’t have it any other way. it wasn’t the politicians decision, it was the workers in the field.

Yet, our public works director thinks they don’t work well enough (video).

Anti-snowgate letter, lame

l3wis January 31, 2011 15Comments

I knew it was only a matter of time before someone (probably connected to public works in one way or another) wrote an anti-snowgate letter;

I live in one of the snowgate test areas and agree that there is a difference in the amount of snow at the end of my driveway because of them. It’s somewhat better.

That said, I certainly have noticed my street getting narrower as the leftover snow accumulates.

Yah think, McFly? Every street in SF gets narrower during the winter. How long have you lived here? I’m willing to deal with a narrower street so I don’t have to chip concrete blocks out of the end of my driveway. Your argument against snowgates is lame considering you started out your letter by saying they work.

Is snow removal not as good as it has been in the past?

l3wis January 16, 2011 3Comments

I don’t know, on one hand, I guess it is one of those things people like to bitch about, like pot holes, but on the other hand, it is important. Has snow removal in SF ever been to everyone’s satisfaction? Probably not. But I have noticed it isn’t up to par this year, as MARICARROL KUETER from the Argus Endorser points out (read the entire ED column here);

Those of us who choose to live in snowy places are accustomed to following the established rules of winter. We shovel our sidewalks within 48 hours. We clear the entry to the mailboxes within an arm’s length of the little postal vehicle, and we never park on emergency routes – especially when 2 or more inches of snow has fallen.

In other words, we do our part. In return, is it wrong to seek a little transparency in our snow-removal process?

That’s all I’m really asking.

I would agree. Funny how the city expects us to follow the same rules they break. Reminds me of the the pig who ran a stop sign on a side street the other day. No sirens blaring. No lights flashing. Good thing he didn’t run me over.

No wonder the snow plow operators are bitter about using snowgates

l3wis January 10, 2011 10Comments

I’m glad to see the union is sticking up for these guys;

The union representing the drivers says the city has refused about $1,500 in extra pay for 11 drivers called in on an overnight shift December 6-7, 2009. Union officials say the city is trying to cut its budget on the backs of its employees.

City officials and an administrative law judge who sided with the city during a grievance hearing last year say Sioux Falls did nothing wrong. They say the city needs flexibility to deal with snow emergencies.

The matter now will go before a circuit court judge.

This letter writer also points out what tax dollars are for, services to citizens;

Events center or snowgates? I vote for snowgates.