More on snow removal

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

We're all probably sick of shovelling already, but if you haven't yet taken a few minutes to dig out any fire hydrants and storm drains near your place of residence or business, please consider doing so. Thanks.

Edit: ron_newman also points out that clearing a pedestrian path at the crosswalk if you live on a corner is just darn nice.

Comments

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

I think it's a tough call. Yeah, I WANT to be nice to my neighbors but some of us don't have the stamina to shovel ourselves out, shovel our sidewalk, shovel the hydrant and THEN shovel extra stuff too. Honestly, I think the city should be responsible for clearing sidewalks on major streets as well as clearing curb cuts/handicap ramps -- I'd consider it under the job responsibilities of public safety.

I'm not disagreeing with the sentiment (doing something good for the community/neighbors even if you don't HAVE to is a good thing) but realize that saying stuff like this can rub people the wrong way. People who have already done the most they could do don't generally take well to being asked to do more.

[jspazzer.livejournal.com]

Yes, thank you. That is exactly where I was coming from. First it was "please shovel your sidewalk", then it was "now go back and shovel the hydrant", then "shovel the street at the corner where that big pile is." I am happy to hear Ron can shovel his corner in 5 minutes, but I am guessing that was not on top of 2 hours of shoveling the sidewalks. Remember, if you live on a corner, you ALREADY SHOVEL 2 SIDEWALKS, and if you have the bad luck of being on the even side of both streets you get snowplowed under on both sides. I accept my civic duty to clear the sidewalks, but the city (or better yet one of you constant complainers) damn well can clear the street.

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

Seriously. Everyone who is bragging so loudly about their easy non-car commute can just take all their extra energy and go around town clearing corners for fun! Better yet -- all able-bodied pedestrians should carry a shovel in case they run into trouble or get the spontaneous urge to do something nice for the neighborhood.

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

Either one is just fine.

Except that it's not. According to most of the people on this post, it is NOT OK to shovel or not. If it was a "do what you can to help out" post, I doubt some of us would be as angry.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

SOMEONE needs to do that shoveling. Only you know if you are that someone or not. Since you're recovering from a serious injury, clearly you are not that someone right now.

On the other hand, some people may be new to the community and not realize that the city doesn't clear curb cuts, and that if individuals don't do it, it doesn't get done.

I agree that the most diplomatic way of saying this might have been "Remember, the city doesn't clear curb cuts, so if it's possible for you to do that as well as your sidewalk, you'd be helping lots of people."

I do think that's what Ron meant, and he is someone who does a lot of hard work for strangers, not just someone flapping his jaws for the sake of hearing himself speak. However, I agree with you that the comment probably didn't come off as he intended it to.

[ron_newman]

Exactly. Some people can't even shovel their own cars out, because of injury or disability, so they post signs asking neighbors to help. Obviously these aren't the people I'm directing my suggestion to.

[ellf.livejournal.com]

We've totally got your back, Ron.

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

It was also his subsequent "my corner took 5 minutes to clear" comment that really struck a nerve. I wasn't so miffed by the original post as I was to his later responses.

[ron_newman]

My apologies then. Mostly what I was trying to say, though poorly, is that shoveling out a corner is much easier and faster if done early. Let it sit a couple of cold days and you'll need pickaxes. (that's generic "you", not you specifically)

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I really appreciate that.

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

I lost my patience there for a moment. I apologize.