January 1, 2009 - 2:40pm
Walking in a winter wonderland...
I have found in the past few weeks during our snowfall chaos, many things frustrating. During our snowstorm we had not too long ago, we cannot really deny that the plows at that time did the best that they could do, and they did just that. And at a time like that you might not expect that our sidewalks in the city get taken care of the day of the storm, or even the day after, as there was just too much snow to handle all at one time. But just last night (New Year's Eve) I was out at 11:00 PM and there were people walking down Oak Street and Mix Place and Main Street in sections, because the sidewalks were not cleared. There wasn't even anything close to as much snow as we had 2 weeks back. I understand that sometimes those little Kubota type tractors aren't able to get out there right away, but you'd think by midnight they'd have sidewalks cleared. Yes, the priorities to clear are the streets, but it is also not safe for people to be walking in the roads especially when the streets are slippery and icy. Imagine if a car were switching lanes and lost control. I myself spun my tires a few times and swerved to the side while trying to get through a green light. I just think that for the pedestrians who travel throughout the city, they should be able to walk down the sidewalks where they are safer. Simple.
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January 1, 2009 - 7:12pm
#1
Its the homeowner that is responible for clearing there side walk..your complain should be with them not the city ..and also it was new years eve dont you think the city workers want to be home with there families..did you shovel your sidewalk..
January 1, 2009 - 7:35pm
#2
The City has the power to issue tickets to people who don't shovel their sidewalks. Time to hire a few part-time code enforcement officers to get after those businesses and landlords and home-owners, and not expect every pedestrian to go house-to-house knocking on doors. Instead of employing people to provide a public service by plowing the sidewalks, start fining property owners. This would at least provide the City some income.
But, that be about the same as a property tax, wouldn't it?
January 1, 2009 - 8:13pm
#3
I live on a private street, so there are no sidewalks. But the sidewalks I was talking about in particular where that of those right on Main Street. Whose responsibility is it then? The sidewalks weren't cleared in front of Key Bank, so there were pedestrians walking in the road. Very unsafe. Should Key Bank have shoveled their walk? I suppose I am not saying they need to get on the ball, I suppose I'm just saying, with uncleared sidewalks, its more unsafe for people who end up having to walk in the road.
January 1, 2009 - 8:26pm
#4
Yes, homeowners, landlords, and business owners do not and should not be expected to celebrate any holidays with their families ! This luxury is only allowed for city workers whom are paid a great wage to provide a public service. If fines have not solved this problem by 2009 then obviously the added income has not been spent wisely. How much is the fine ? Where does the money collected go ? What exactly does property tax cover ? obviously not what city employees are expected to do. Lets hire more and pay them to go door to door and fine people. That will solve the problem. Then the city will have a budget deficit because they cant afford to pay city employees 25 bucks an hour to issue small fines of chump change while the pedestrians still have the same problem. I got a solution : make every potential winter storm about politics and watch how fast the snow disappears ! Just the hot air from the lies the politicians spew would be enuff to melt snow off the sidewalks not to mention the heat from all the B.S.
Finally, before anyone comments, I am not : business owner, home owner, landlord, or city employee. I am a pedestrian, whom has to walk in the street and is willing to work shoveling for 25 bucks an hour on ANY holiday. Oh, wait holidays are double pay arent they ?
January 1, 2009 - 8:59pm
#5
Somebody say winter work,job
January 1, 2009 - 9:20pm
#6
Oh have I been waiting for this subject to arise. I blow out my driveway, sidewalks, shovel out the fire hydrant, clean up the sidewalk north and south of my property with my trusty snow blower each and everytime it snows.
The city sidewalk plow comes speeding down the street during the night and plows up grass, sod, rocks, all of which are frozen solid and pushed in my driveway, and in the trail leaves four to five inches of mealy snow on sidewalk, nice!
After which if I use my snowblower to clean up I risk dammage to the machine, and this has happened many times in the past, not to mention the mess it leaves when the snow melts.
Is it me? I ask you, how do I a senior citizen cope with this terrible serivce that tax payers are paying for.
January 1, 2009 - 9:29pm
#7
It would be so much easier if Batavia were located in a place without snow wouldn't it!? Haha... but Happy New Year to all of the business owners, home owners, pedestrians, politicians, city workers and the rest of you! Stay warm.
January 1, 2009 - 9:53pm
#8
This all comes down to the level of service city residents want and how much they are willing to pay for it. At this point, the city only plows sidewalks to clear a path during large snow falls. The service isn’t to take care of the property owner’s responsibilities.
The city has limited staff and the holidays have not made it an easier for them. The last couple weeks have been pretty challenging. There have been two snow storms, flooding and a wind storm. That wind storm caused damage that kept crews busy cleaning up trees that had fallen on peoples houses. City crews have also been busy pumping out basements from the flooding as well. During all this they have also been clearing paths on sidewalks and doing a great job on our streets. In between this they have been trying to share the holiday season with their families.
Speaking for myself, I don’t want more services or taxes. I don’t like the bombardier coming in front of my house packing snow down and turning the snow into ice that I have to clear. I also don’t like hare brain government schemes to hire more people or looking for new ways to fine people who have been busy over the holiday week either.
January 1, 2009 - 10:03pm
#9
I agree with Charlie. It's up to the property owners to clear the sidewalks. The city needs to limit services to the barest minimum. The last couple weeks don't represent a typical Western New York winter. I'm a big guy, I've got two good legs, I can get down the sidewalk just fine. And I've got a car. Let's all suck it up and shut the....up.
January 1, 2009 - 10:26pm
#10
Why is the city responsible for pumping out water from basements ? I have never seen that before ? I guess water is covered but not snow. I have voted no on proposition snow but that doesnt stop it from falling. Maybe a foot traffic tax would be in order, anyone walking anywhere would be taxed per foot traveled. How about the biggest joke of "community service" program. Its cheaper to keep people out of jail and if they cant or choose not to pay fines they can drink coffee all day and shop (oops pretend to work) at Salvation Army Thrift store ( for one example ).
Everybody complains about the welfare system but where are the welfare to work people ? Surely something can be done to solve this problem but if it is cheaper to do nothing and make excuses it wont change.
Walk in the street and get hit by a car, you may be able to sue the driver (providing you live) but good luck suing a business or the city. And if you do sue a business or the city thats why they cant afford to provide extra services. The only solution to this problem is if it snows too much then just dont leave where you are or if you go out only visit places that have drive thru services. That will keep everyone safe and stimulate our small town economy.
January 2, 2009 - 8:38am
#11
I will say on a couple occasions, I've seen prisoners from the jail w/shovels working and or being escorted by an "armed escort" on main street. They were in orange jumpsuits 1 day and the other were wearing green ones more like hospital scrubs. The one in the green jumpsuits were not "escorted" probably low risk. Anyway.. kudos to the City for that. I've seen this in our southern states before but this is the first for our area.
January 2, 2009 - 4:44pm
#12
HAPPY NEW YEARS
January 2, 2009 - 4:56pm
#13
the city has that propelled sidewalk cleaner. i called it the "sidewalk mole" due to it's odd shaped, downward pointing plow. oh the joy of hearing it rumbling up from behind on the sidewalk (at 30 mph) whilst walking on a snowy, low visibilty winter night! amazing no has died yet eh. the joy of watching it clip and decimate my ardous labor of love, my glorious driveway snow piles. kinda miss it. like the street cleaner in summer. adds charm! :)
January 3, 2009 - 8:56am
#14
You should try walking from Mother chicken on up to Kwik fill it is horrible 99% of the sidewalk are covered, afew days ago I was walking up Ellicott street to Kwik fill on the road up against the snow bank and I had to just about jump into the snow bank because some cars not watching were there going and I could not use the sidewalks even for me it was too deep.
January 3, 2009 - 9:51am
#15
indeed, even in the south, chain gangs are becoming less common. there may only b 1 or 2 states that still use them. i think it was down to AL and GA. hmmm. saw a group in the past year whilst truckin thru dixie. may have to google an inquiry on this 1. anyways, life will be easier up there when the lake (re?) freezes. damn that abberation of this past sat, 60 degree day.
January 3, 2009 - 10:04am
#16
I have never been in jail but if I had to be there for awhile I would not want to sit round in winter and rot unless they have a gym in there!? this I don't know.
January 3, 2009 - 12:12pm
#17
Talk of chain gangs in the south always reminds me of Cool Hand Luke.
January 3, 2009 - 3:04pm
#18
Ahhh, what a great one! Cool Hand Luke!
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