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<DIV><SPAN class=218102004-22012008><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>After
my street rant, I guess I'll have to continue with a sidewalk
rant....</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=218102004-22012008><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=218102004-22012008><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Thanks, Janesta for bringing this up. My husband not only cleans
the sidewalks by our house, but plows out three neighbors and the entire
culdesac. (What's with men and power tools?)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=218102004-22012008><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=218102004-22012008><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Anyway... I was wondering who is responsible for the sidewalks on
either side of Highway 95 at both ends of Moscow? Technically, the area
I'm thinking of is still considered Main Street. The sidewalks are NEVER
cleaned from Pintail south to Rosauers, or from Lauder south to the edge of
town. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=218102004-22012008><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=218102004-22012008><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>We
can't walk to work because of this.... (Not that I would, but my husband
might... and he does, in the summer)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=218102004-22012008><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=218102004-22012008><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Just
curious....</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=218102004-22012008><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=218102004-22012008><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Bev</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
vision2020-bounces@moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces@moscow.com]<B>On
Behalf Of </B>Janesta<BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, January 21, 2008 6:22
PM<BR><B>To:</B> Vision2020<BR><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] Snow on sidewalks
.. the good news and the bad news...<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="" color=#000000>You know the old saying... Do you want the
bad news, or good news first?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The good news</DIV>
<P><FONT face="" color=#000000>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... <A
href="http://pcei.org/VolunteerSnow.htm">http://pcei.org/VolunteerSnow.htm</A>
. Regardless if it is snow removal, supplying food shelters with fresh
produce, or caring for our environment, PCEI is there. Thank you so much!
</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="" color=#000000>Now, for the bad news. It always seems to be
kind of long, doesn't it?</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="" color=#000000>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 . </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="" color=#000000>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.
</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="" color=#000000>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. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="" color=#000000>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. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="" color=#000000>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. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="" color=#000000>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? </FONT></P>
<DIV><FONT face="" color=#000000>I hope this ordinance is addressed by the
City Council soon. It would be a shame for someone to be injured.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="" color=#000000>Please call the Moscow Police Department at
882-5551 with your concerns. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Thank you for listening to my rant.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Janesta Carcich</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="" color=#000000></FONT> </DIV>
<P><FONT face="" color=#000000>Below are the basics from both Moscow, and
Coeur d' Alene's websites. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="" color=#000000>From the City of Moscow website.</FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT face="" color=#000000><A
href="http://www.moscow.id.us/Police/Snow%20Removal/Snow%20removal.htm">http://www.moscow.id.us/Police/Snow%20Removal/Snow%20removal.htm</A></FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT face="" color=#000000>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. </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT face="" color=#000000></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="" color=#000000></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face="" color=#000000>Coeur d' Alene</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="" color=#000000><A
href="http://www.sterlingcodifiers.com/ID/Coeur%20dAlene/index.htm">http://www.sterlingcodifiers.com/ID/Coeur%20dAlene/index.htm</A></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="" color=#000000>"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."
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