2 Die in Howard County Shoveling Snow

Washington-CBS ^

[sodpoodle]

COLUMBIA, Md. — Two men in Howard County have died after suffering medical emergencies while shoveling snow, and a third died when he collapsed outside in the snow.

[sodpoodle]

In a statement Thursday, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman urged residents to help neighbors with shoveling if they need it.

“This is deep, heavy snow, and I implore everyone to take it easy. Please don’t over-exert yourself. Clear a little at a time. Or ask a neighbor to help,” he said. ---------------------------------------------------------- Probably felt compelled to follow a County ordinance that mandates homeowners clean sidewalks adjacent to their (private) property for which they pay taxes. Counties should be required to clear sidewalks - same as the roads. How do the local dictators expect seniors and disabled home-owners to venture out in these deplorable conditions and clear "their" sidewalks. Who is using them?????

[vicar7]

As a youth I bought a lot of cool stuff by shoveling old folks snow. Actually rooting for bad weather then.

[from occupied ga]

This is deep, heavy snow, and I implore everyone to take it easy. Please don’t over-exert yourself. Clear a little at a time. Or ask a neighbor to help

Scratches head, thinking OK you're asking your neighbor to have a heart attack for you. I guess that makes as much sense as anything government comes up with.

Probably felt compelled to follow a County ordinance that mandates homeowners clean sidewalks adjacent to their (private) property for which they pay taxes

One can only hope that those who died voted for the jerks who passed that ordinance

[sodpoodle]

If the neighborhood has teens with shovels and the seniors can afford to pay them - that works great.

My complaint is with the regulations that counties impose on property owners who are burdened with fines for not clearing sidewalks within certain time limits. Especially stressful when there are multiple snow events.

My neighbor was intimidated by the police stopping at his home and warning him to clear his property - he had just moved in and was unaware there was a “law”. Stroke time!!!

[momtothree]

MD ping....

[sodpoodle]

I believe that rule is pretty common throughout the ‘snow’ States.

What bedevils me is that the “sidewalk” is public property - so how come any private citizen is responsible to ‘keep it clean’???????

[fatnotlazy]

Can’t find a kid to do the job. I have a disability and a heart condition so I can’t shovel snow. I have to pay a guy $35 to shovel. He’s made some serious money this winter.

[jjotto]

Clearing sidewalks of snow and cutting grass are two pretty standard requirements in snowbelt cities and towns. Since this can be determined before one moves there, where’s the complaint?

There are many organizations and individuals who will help out if one is unable or can’t afford to do snow removal.

[sodpoodle]

Are you required to clear a sidewalk under penalty of law? Or is this shoveling to free your car and driveway?

Most old folks are ‘hunkered” down and why should they be forced to shovel ANY snow for ANY reason - or pay for it???

Pedestrians are not even using the “cleared” sidewalks in my neighborhood, they are walking in the street.!!!! Must be scared of the tree limbs;)

[RedMDer]

That would be a public access easement on private property.

[from occupied ga]

where’s the complaint?

Ask the ones who died from a heart attack.

[sodpoodle]

The complaint is the threat of punishment or fines for non-compliance.

What happens if you are stranded at an airport? Hospitalized? And how do you contact all those charitable organizations if you are new to the community???

Why are some citizens forced to clear sidewalks or pay to have it done and others are not. How is that legal?
Property taxes should cover costs of a County clean-up.

[momtothree]

In Howard and Montgomery County, the law is you must clear the sidewalks within a limited period of time after a snow storm. Each county has different time periods for the removal. If, for example, a person is on a trip when the snow storm occurs, they have to have sub-contracted with a snow removal service or have a contract with someone to remove the snow. What annoys me about this is the county will demand it BUT the county doesn’t remove snow obstructing the walk to bus stops. About ten years ago, our neighborhood’s civic association tried to get sidewalks installed. Many of the residents fought the sidewalk initiative for this very reason (and won). “How is that legal?” Answer: It’s Maryland. The greater good, don’t you know.

[RedMDer]

I didn’t see a single teen looking to help out or make a little money this year.

[sodpoodle]

****the law is you must clear the sidewalks within a limited period of time after a snow storm****

I will put the Cochran Firm on speed dial;)

[Dr. Ursus]

Snow shoveling is God’s way of telling me that I’m getting old!

[jjotto]

Heart attacks from snow shoveling are much, much more common than most people think. Cold weather in general sees a much higher rate of heart attacks.

A healthy older guy I knew died while using his snow blower on his neighbors’ driveway.

[jjotto]

Anyone living in or owning property in areas that get snow knows the drill.

[iontheball]

Pedestrians are not even using the “cleared” sidewalks in my neighborhood, they are walking in the street.!!!! Must be scared of the tree limbs;)
_____________________________________________
I walked sidewalks to get to work for decades, so I know a thing or two about snow and sidewalks. While traffic is an issue when walking in the street, it turns out to be the safest alternative. You will hardly ever find an entire block where the sidewalks are all shoveled. Even if they are, most will not be treated for ice and some melting during the day freezes back at night and once frozen takes half a day or more to unfreeze. Additionally, light overnight snow makes things even more treacherous since you can not see the frozen ice under the snow. The streets get plowed and treated and worked on by vehicle tires so it is the only place you can find a surface to walk on that reduces your likelihood of falling and injuring yourself. Getting out every day and commuting, whether by car or walking, will always be a challenge in a winter with heavy snow.

[InvisibleChurch]

There are some things a society does to benefit others. Shoveling the walk benefits people from having to walk on the street. Where I live I own the property from my house to the side walk. The green between the sidewalk and the street is not my own yet I cut it to be a good neighbor. How much would it cost to have the surrounding govt come by just to shovel your walk? Can you imagine the regulations they’d crush you with if they were, in fact, in charge of shoveling your walk? No bush or flower pots within 10’, no cars nearby, maybe no shoveling your driveway until the sidewalk’s been done first, it just goes on and on...