snow removal

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.

SF citizens LOVE snowgates!

l3wis January 3, 2011 11Comments

I just about shit a brick when I saw Stormland TV did this story;

Not this year, which is why this homeowner gives the gates a passing grade.

“Absolutely, I think it would be definitely a good investment,” Kvaale said.

Of course, I should not be surprised, they like anything that has to do with precipitation.

The city won’t plow the streets if the budgeted money runs out? Silly.

l3wis December 30, 2010 13Comments

“Sorry, ran out of money, your street won’t get plowed.”

Am I the only one that thinks this Stormland TV News story is completely pointless? I don’t know how stories like this get past producers? Don’t get me wrong, this probably isn’t the worst story, but it seems anytime they let Katie out of the studio to do something on her own, she has some silly story, about an issue that does not exist;

SIOUX FALLS, SD – The storm has the potential to put the city of Sioux Falls’ snow removal budget over the top. There’s a magic snowfall amount the city is hoping for to keep the finances in order, going into 2011. There’s only enough money left in the budget to cover 11 inches of snow.

What bothers me even more is that public officials would even respond. While I probably don’t hold the highest regard for Mark and Mike, I would at least think they would be smart enough to say,

“Who really cares? Taxes pay for snow removal, they will be cleaned. Doesn’t matter what flipping year it is.”

Cotter says this storm could be interesting, depending on when the snow falls. If it continues through Friday night, some of the removal costs could be billed to next year’s budget.

“There may be a split on this storm if some of it’s in 2010 and some may be in 2011,” said Cotter.

Some of it? How about ALL OF IT! It’s a freaking holiday, who cares when it is billed? Do the contracted snowplows have taxi meters that expect payment in real time? Or better yet, take the money from the Events-Center-Monkey-Crapper-Junior-Football-Ski-Bunny-Hill fund.

The Argus Endorser gets their ass handed to them on snowgate rhetoric

l3wis December 23, 2010 2Comments

I couldn’t agree more with this letter to the editor;

After carefully reading each of the comments in the Dec. 14 Argus Leader regarding the recent city’s snow-removal work, I was quite irritated. The following blurb appeared under a photo of a snowplow on page one of section B: “A test was done Sunday morning with the new snowgates in Zone 2 of Sioux Falls. Despite adding the machines to assist with snow removal, reaction to the city’s cleanup efforts is mixed.”

This blurb was intentionally misleading. There was nothing but positive comments from people who live in the areas where the snowgates were used.

A few people who commented expressed dissatisfaction with the city’s snow removal, but none of the comments was related to the use of snowgates.

It’s about time our newspaper starts reporting the news and stops trying to sway people to its way of thinking.

I will defend the reporters at the AL, they do a great job. But it seems the editors in charge, especially the ones at the very top are tying their hands. It’s unfortunate.

Am I fair on South DaCola? Nope. But I’m not the fourth estate, I’m an opinionated editorialist. They are an NEWS organization. They need to start acting like one.