[Vision2020] Snow Grouch

[Saundra Lund]

Chas wrote:
"Let's have some compassion, folks."

Yes, let's *do* have some compassion for those who either by necessity or
care for the environment or choice are left to negotiate on foot or bike
those incredibly dangerous sidewalks that remain unshoveled/uncleared for
days & weeks at a time.

While driving home from work or school -- in a car with heat -- in far less
time than those on foot, let's *think* about those braving the dangerous
sidewalks day in & day out on their ways home from work or school or picking
up their prescriptions or buying their groceries.  Suddenly having to shovel
in the dark doesn't seem like such a burden, does it?

Let's have compassion for those who fall and are injured because some people
think they have more important things to than live up to what it means to be
a member of a community.

I have plenty of compassion for those who genuinely have difficulty keeping
sidewalks clear for legitimate health reasons, but guess what?  Those with
honest-to-God legitimate excuses aren't the ones who are the problems.  And,
quite frankly, I am sick & tired of the excuses for uncleared sidewalks some
people are inclined to trot out each winter.

Further, I'm sick and d*mn tired of living in a City with a budget the size
of Moscow's that claims to have "green" aspirations and be pedestrian
friendly yet turns a blind eye winter after winter.  Shame on our city
administration.

Yeah, I've found myself negotiating some dangerous sidewalks every winter,
but more importantly, I have loved ones who either *have* to do it on a
daily/weekly basis or become literally shut in and unable to work to pay
their rent or mortgages or utilities or buy their groceries during the
winter.  That's just shameful.

Kit, I'd like to take this opportunity to *thank you* for your efforts to
get the City to take this issue seriously.  Other cities & towns manage to
do a great job of managing the problem -- what the heck is wrong that we
can't?

Maybe it's the attitude of the few so quick to make endless excuses . . . 


Saundra Lund
Moscow, ID

-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Chasuk
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 9:00 PM
To: thansen at moscow.com; kcraine at verizon.net; mattd2107 at hotmail.com
Cc: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Snow Grouch

This is a problem that doesn't have an easy solution.  Not everyone
who fails to clear their public easement within 24 hour is a scofflaw.
 Shoveling isn't easy for everyone.  Whether because of obesity, age,
illness, injury, or other infirmity, not everyone is capable of doing
it.  For those who are capable, the 24-hour requirement, while
seemingly reasonable, isn't always enough time.  Combine work and
sleep, and maybe school, and you are left shoveling in the dark.
Maybe you are visiting family during the holidays.  Maybe you have no
family or friends who can help, or they can't help precisely according
to schedule.  Maybe paying your rent and your mortgage is already
tight, and you have to decide which is more important, paying someone
to shovel your snow, or buying groceries.  Maybe charity is
embarrassing for you, or you don't know where to seek it.

Let's have some compassion, folks.

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