[Vision2020] Snow on sidewalks .. Correction

[Craine Kit]

opps.

My apologies.


My copy/paste from my address book dropped part of Courtney's  
address. The correct one is: crush at pcei.org.

If anyone sent to rush at pcei, please resend to the crush.

Thanks to all.

Kit

On Jan 23, 2008, at 3:19 PM, Craine Kit wrote:

> For Matt and those who are willing to help keep the sidewalks clean:
> Courtyney Rush at PCEI (rush at pcei.org) is looking for volunteers to
> help clear walks of property owners who are elderly or disabled and
> can't do it themselves.
>
> Kit
>
> On Jan 21, 2008, at 11:54 PM, Matt Decker wrote:
>
>> c'mon people what since does this whole rant make?
>>
>> If you really need someone to clear your sidewalks i'll do it free
>> of charge. No need to take up our valuable time of our police
>> force. Just give me a call.
>>
>> I'm in the phone book.
>>
>> matt decker
>>
>>
>>
>>> Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:36:25 -0800
>>> From: kcraine at verizon.net
>>> To: janesta at gmail.com
>>> CC: vision2020 at moscow.com
>>> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Snow on sidewalks .. the good news and
>> the bad	news...
>>>
>>> Moscow City Code defines ice or snow on the sidewalk as a nuisance,
>>> period. Property owners have 24 hours to clear sidewalks adjacent to
>>> their property AFTER being given notice, either in writing or by
>>> having it posted on the property. After the 24 hours, the City can
>>> issue a citation and/or clear the sidewalks and bill the property
>>> owner. Out of courtesy, the City allows 24 hours for clearing before
>>> starting the enforcement clock. Unfortunately, issuing notice
>> depends
>>> on public complaints against an address and the City may not follow
>>> through once the time is up.
>>>
>>> There is a myth in this town that small amounts of snow will melt
>> off
>>> so people don't need to bother shoveling unless there are inches
>> on a
>>> sidewalk. Wrong. In our climate, even a skiff of packed snow turns
>>> into deadly ice before nature does the clearing. Last winter, we had
>>> about an inch of snow one day, less than an inch two days later. It
>>> took twenty-two (22) days for the resulting packed ice to melt off.
>>> Sidewalks that were cleared before they became packed were clear and
>>> dry for that period.
>>>
>>> The only environmentally sensitive solution to this problem is a
>>> shovel. The only humane solution to ice is chemicals. Whatever is
>>> necessary should be used because broken bones should not be
>>> acceptable in a community that brags about being "pedestrian
>> friendly".
>>>
>>> What can you do to make Moscow's winter sidewalks safe? Take a
>> moment
>>> to shove snow off the sidewalk where it crosses your driveway before
>>> you leave in the morning. Shovel the entire walk (edge to edge
>> and to
>>> the surface) as soon as you can. Point out to merchants that if they
>>> want business, customers need to be able to reach their store.
>> Report
>>> uncleared sidewalks to the City (882-COPS). Volunteer to help
>> someone
>>> who can't clear their sidewalks.
>>>
>>> Sidewalks are part of the public right-of-way. Those who allow ice
>>> and snow build up are obstructing everyone's right to use those
>>> paths. That is not going to change unless the public insists on it.
>>>
>>>
>>> Kit Craine
>>>
>>> On Jan 21, 2008, at 6:21 PM, Janesta wrote:
>>>
>>>> You know the old saying... Do you want the bad news, or good news
>>>> first?
>>>>
>>>> The good news
>>>> I want to compliment the City of Moscow and Palouse Clearwater
>>>> Environmental Institute in creating the "Snow Patrol". It is
>>>> fantastic to witness the care and concern put forth for community
>>>> members who are unable to clear their sidewalk due to age, or
>>>> disability. GOOD JOB!!! If you need assistance, call 882-1444, and
>>>> ask for Courtney Rush, or click on this link... http://pcei.org/
>>>> VolunteerSnow.htm . Regardless if it is snow removal, supplying
>>>> food shelters with fresh produce, or caring for our environment,
>>>> PCEI is there. Thank you so much!
>>>>
>>>> Now, for the bad news. It always seems to be kind of long,
>> doesn't it?
>>>>
>>>> Attempting to walk and shop downtown is a risky feat if you are
>>>> healthy. Imagine if you are disabled, or elderly? A person using a
>>>> wheelchair can't even GO downtown this time of year! There are
>> many
>>>> of us with hidden disabilities who must use extreme caution as
>> well .
>>>>
>>>> When my knees were replaced eight years ago, I was advised by my
>>>> orthopedic surgeon if I were to fall and break my leg, it would
>>>> probably be in the middle of my shin, or above my knee, each
>> place,
>>>> (much more than you probably want to know about me!) where four
>>>> screws are embedded in bone. I could very well lose my leg, or
>>>> legs, as the case may be. That statement from him has sobered
>> me to
>>>> any thoughts of peaceful walks almost anywhere around town, but
>>>> especially, in my beloved downtown Moscow.
>>>>
>>>> Last Thursday, for the first time in six weeks, I decided to go
>>>> downtown shopping. I was very discouraged by the state of some of
>>>> the sidewalks. Moscow had not received snow for several days, yet,
>>>> many of the businesses still had an accumulated a mixture of snow,
>>>> and dangerous ice on the ground with NO WHERE to walk that was
>>>> clear. This includes the walkway in front of the fountain in
>>>> Friendship Square, which at the time, only had a two foot pathway.
>>>>
>>>> Many years ago, while working as an advocate at Disability Action
>>>> Center, I spoke with Police Chief Weaver regarding our snow
>> removal
>>>> ordinance. At that time, he stated the problem lies with
>>>> enforcement. There are no specifics that state what time the snow
>>>> needs to be removed by, nor what part of the sidewalk the business
>>>> owner is responsible for, or how wide of a swath should be
>>>> shoveled. Also, the policy stated once warned about snow
>> removal, a
>>>> business has 24 hours to respond. What is with Moscow and these
>>>> hour requirements, such as the noise and dog barking law? If
>>>> something needs to be taken care of, it needs to be dealt with
>>>> ASAP! At one business I spoke with, I was advised they were only
>>>> responsible for an area four feet from the building. What about
>> the
>>>> other four to six feet on to the curb? Who is responsible for
>> that?
>>>> Who is responsible for the area on the corner of Main and 6th,
>> Main
>>>> and 5th? Who is responsible sidewalks in front of a vacant
>>>> building? If a lawsuit is filed, who pays? Would it be me, the
>>>> taxpayer? Because the policy as it is written is so vague?? I
>>>> guarantee you, if someone is seriously injured due to the
>> choice of
>>>> a business or the city to ignore this problem, someone will be
>> sued.
>>>>
>>>> In the heat of summer, almost six months ago, I addressed the
>>>> Mayor, and Moscow City Council about concerns regarding our
>>>> disabled, and elderly community members, and the manner in which
>>>> the snow removal policy was written and enforced. At that time, I
>>>> was advised by Mayor Cheney the issue of changing the ordinance
>> had
>>>> been in, I believe it was, an employee committee for the previous
>>>> 6-8 months. Personally, I am not sure why it takes so long to
>>>> change a snow removal policy. Do what I did, Google other
>> cities in
>>>> Idaho, see what they are doing. Coeur d' Alene has an excellent
>>>> policy stating a time frame for removal of snow, the fine to be
>>>> issued if the policy is not followed. Also, if the fine isn't
>> paid,
>>>> a lien will be placed on the property owner's taxes.
>>>>
>>>> I recall early last fall when there was discussion of moving
>>>> Farmer's Market to Main Street, and closing Main for a few hours
>>>> Saturday mornings... The businesses downtown were very much
>> against
>>>> this idea, as they were concerned about parking, and losing
>>>> customers. Where is that same concern for their customers now?
>>>>
>>>> I hope this ordinance is addressed by the City Council soon. It
>>>> would be a shame for someone to be injured.
>>>>
>>>> Please call the Moscow Police Department at 882-5551 with your
>>>> concerns.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you for listening to my rant.
>>>>
>>>> Janesta Carcich
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Below are the basics from both Moscow, and Coeur d' Alene's
>> websites.
>>>>
>>>> From the City of Moscow website.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.moscow.id.us/Police/Snow%20Removal/Snow%20removal.htm
>>>>
>>>> It shall be the duty of every owner of any land, building, or lot
>>>> within the City to remove snow and/or ice from adjacent sidewalks
>>>> to permit the safe pedestrian passage upon said sidewalks
>> bordering
>>>> said property and to abate the nuisance set forth in this Chapter.
>>>> This duty applies to natural snowfall; it does not extend to snow
>>>> displaced onto sidewalks by City snowplows after an owner has
>>>> removed natural snowfall.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Coeur d' Alene
>>>>
>>>> http://www.sterlingcodifiers.com/ID/Coeur%20dAlene/index.htm
>>>>
>>>> "Every owner or occupant of any house or other building, or of any
>>>> vacant lot or block, and every person having charge of any church,
>>>> jail or public building within the municipal limits, shall, during
>>>> the winter season and during the time snow continues on the
>> ground,
>>>> by nine o'clock (9:00) A.M. on every day after a snowfall, and
>>>> whenever necessary, clear the sidewalks in front of such lot or
>>>> block, from snow and ice, and shall keep them conveniently free
>>>> there from during the day, or shall, in case the snow and ice so
>>>> congealed that it cannot be removed without injury to the
>> sidewalk,
>>>> cause the snow and ice to be strewed with ashes or sand. Every
>>>> owner or occupant shall at all times keep such sidewalk clear and
>>>> free from all filth, dirt or other obstructions or encumbrances so
>>>> as to allow citizens to use the sidewalks in an easy and
>> commodious
>>>> manner."
>>>>
>>>> =======================================================
>>>> List services made available by First Step Internet,
>>>> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>>>> http://www.fsr.net
>>>> mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
>>>> =======================================================
>>>
>>> =======================================================
>>> List services made available by First Step Internet,
>>> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>>> http://www.fsr.net
>>> mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
>>> =======================================================
>>
>> Climb to the top of the charts! Play the word scramble challenge
>> with star power. Play now!
>
> =======================================================
>  List services made available by First Step Internet,
>  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>                http://www.fsr.net
>           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> =======================================================