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smg01The city has a newish (or newly enforced, I'm not sure which) ordinance requiring residents to clear sidewalks within 48 hours of snow. We've been getting more snow this season than we've gotten in years, so the fines for not shoveling have been getting a lot of attention. I'm a little mad at how many people are acting like the ordinance is stupid and how no one should really care about it.
I get that it's bitter cold. I get that some people are elderly or physically unable to shovel or don't have the resources to hire someone. I really do understand that and I feel for those in that situation. I don't hold an unshoveled sidewalk against those people.
But you know what? Cleared sidewalks aren't just a luxury that everybody can easily do without. I'm relatively young-ish and more or less able-bodied. I do, however, have a dog that needs walking two or three times a day. I don't have a fenced back yard that I can just let him roam in. A lot of sidewalks on our route remain uncleared. I don't mind trudging through an inch or two of snow, but the snow on the sidewalks has been much deeper than that and harder to slog through. This means that in many cases I've had to walk on (a pretty busy) street because that's the most walkable option. This in turn means that I walk hoping that:
1) A car doesn't hit a slick spot and slide into me;
2) I don't slip and fall into the path of a car that can't stop in time;
3) A driver just plain doesn't see me because they're concentrating on the road itself or other traffic;
4) It's all even more fun after sundown.
But you know what else? Not everybody has the option of getting into their car in a nice warm garage, driving where they need to go, then scurrying inside. And some of those people can't get around easily and do have to get out. Some people are on crutches or use a cane or a wheelchair. Or are elderly and shouldn't be trying to walk through snow with uncertain footing. People who aren't as mobile might need a cleared sidewalk in order to get to work, or to the bus stop, or to walk to class. Apparently they're either supposed to suck it up, or, just plan to be housebound until the snow melts?
It bugs me that so many people seem to think that cleared sidewalks don't really matter, like it's some sort of concession to whiny, entitled people. I'm sure that there are plenty of whiny, entitled people who want sidewalks cleared. But there are also plenty of good reasons why a sidewalk should be shoveled. Besides, it's a neighborly thing to do. And it comes with the territory of being a homeowner.
I get that it's bitter cold. I get that some people are elderly or physically unable to shovel or don't have the resources to hire someone. I really do understand that and I feel for those in that situation. I don't hold an unshoveled sidewalk against those people.
But you know what? Cleared sidewalks aren't just a luxury that everybody can easily do without. I'm relatively young-ish and more or less able-bodied. I do, however, have a dog that needs walking two or three times a day. I don't have a fenced back yard that I can just let him roam in. A lot of sidewalks on our route remain uncleared. I don't mind trudging through an inch or two of snow, but the snow on the sidewalks has been much deeper than that and harder to slog through. This means that in many cases I've had to walk on (a pretty busy) street because that's the most walkable option. This in turn means that I walk hoping that:
1) A car doesn't hit a slick spot and slide into me;
2) I don't slip and fall into the path of a car that can't stop in time;
3) A driver just plain doesn't see me because they're concentrating on the road itself or other traffic;
4) It's all even more fun after sundown.
But you know what else? Not everybody has the option of getting into their car in a nice warm garage, driving where they need to go, then scurrying inside. And some of those people can't get around easily and do have to get out. Some people are on crutches or use a cane or a wheelchair. Or are elderly and shouldn't be trying to walk through snow with uncertain footing. People who aren't as mobile might need a cleared sidewalk in order to get to work, or to the bus stop, or to walk to class. Apparently they're either supposed to suck it up, or, just plan to be housebound until the snow melts?
It bugs me that so many people seem to think that cleared sidewalks don't really matter, like it's some sort of concession to whiny, entitled people. I'm sure that there are plenty of whiny, entitled people who want sidewalks cleared. But there are also plenty of good reasons why a sidewalk should be shoveled. Besides, it's a neighborly thing to do. And it comes with the territory of being a homeowner.
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Date: 2010-01-08 05:36 pm (UTC)