Ducan Suspends Shoveling Enforcement

AP via WJLA News channel 9 web page ^ | 02-18-2003 | AP

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

Rockville, Md. (AP) - You might say Montgomery County got more snow than the law would allow. An ordinance requiring homeowners to clear their sidewalks within 24 hours following the end of a snowfall has been temporarily suspended.

County Executive Doug Duncan is concerned that some elderly residents could risk their health or possible injury by trying to clear the snow and avoid the fifty dollar fine for noncompliance.

This is the first major test of the law which was passed in April of 2001. Montgomery County and the rest of the Washington area are trying to recover from the heaviest snow fall since February of 1996.

The heavy snows kept many stores in Montgomery County's major retailing areas closed today. Many schools and offices have already announced plans to remain closed Tuesday.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

I didn't know that I would have been thrown in jail for not shoveling a sidewalk (if I had one). This is ridiculous! If the government wants their (they maintain them w/ my tax dollars) sidewalks cleared they can do it themselves. Or, better yet, let people wear boots and walk in the snow. Yeeeesh!

[coloradan]

Proof of feelgood legislation. When the snow is the worst and it is most important to clear sidewalks, the government decides to suspend the law.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Everywhere I have ever lived you had to shovel within 24 hours. The mailmen need to be able to use the sidewalks to deliver mail, the children need the sidewalks to walk to school. It's not a big deal, it's for safety. You don't want people walking in the streets getting hit by spinning cars or lost behind snow banks.

[Sir Gawain]

It's not a big deal, it's for safety.

The words printed on freedom's tombstone.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

So you are advocating for children, dog walkers, old ladies, and mailmen to walk on narrow snowy and icy streets because the sidewalks are impassible.I am sorry that you don't have a few extra minutes to lift a shovel and give a damn about someone other than yourself.

I guess my mother raised me better. She taught me to show courtesy for others and not to put myself first.

[RipSawyer]

So you are advocating for children, dog walkers, old ladies, and mailmen to walk on narrow snowy and icy streets because the sidewalks are impassible.I am sorry that you don't have a few extra minutes to lift a shovel and give a damn about someone other than yourself.

"I guess my mother raised me better. She taught me to show courtesy for others and not to put myself first."

Seldom has anyone so totally missed a point.

[Sir Gawain]

Not seldom on this site.

[RightWhale]

This is ridiculous!

It's also not clear what to do with the snow. Can't put it in the street. Will the city come by and pick it up?

[Old Professer]

So you are advocating for children, dog walkers, old ladies, and mailmen to walk on narrow snowy and icy streets because the sidewalks are impassible.I am sorry that you don't have a few extra minutes to lift a shovel and give a damn about someone other than yourself.

I guess my mother raised me better. She taught me to show courtesy for others and not to put myself first.

The sidewalks would be impassable because the snow fell.

Snow melts when the sun comes out; the water runs downhill and away to the sea.

The government has an obligation to remove snow from roadways and, probably, on sidewalks to further public safety and commerce; an individual does not have this obligation.

If you have lived where such laws exist it would be nice if you could cite the law and provide a few examples (one) where someone was successfully prosecuted for his failure to comply.

Anybody desperate enough or dumb enopugh to be out walking in snow shouldn't expect me to lay down a red-carpet for them.

[Old Professer]

Oops!, looks like OP hit the op keys at the same time with one finger - enough about me.

[Interesting Times]

So you are advocating for children, dog walkers, old ladies, and mailmen to walk on narrow snowy and icy streets because the sidewalks are impassible.I am sorry that you don't have a few extra minutes to lift a shovel and give a damn about someone other than yourself.

I guess my mother raised me better. She taught me to show courtesy for others and not to put myself first.

Have you considered the possibility that certain aspects of your mother's teachings, however admirable, really ought not be mandated by law?

Take that "eat your vegetables" thing, for instance...

[Sir Gawain]

You will eat the boiled okra and you will like it.

[mountaineer]

Related thread (sidewalk clearing law in Iowa).

[mountaineer]

The government has an obligation to remove snow from roadways and, probably, on sidewalks to further public safety and commerce; an individual does not have this obligation.

Nevertheless, if someone slips on your uncleared walk, you're the one who gets sued, not city hall.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

It's not a big deal, it's for safety.

No, it's not for safety. If it were for safety the law would also have heavy fines for not cleaning off the ice that forms on the sidewalk over night when the snow melt runoff freezes. Also, the sidewalks are government property!!! They want to fine me for not cleaning their property?! If they can't handle their own property they shouldn't have it.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

Take that "eat your vegetables" thing, for instance...

Or "wear clen underwear in case you're in an accident and end up in the hospital." What a really cool law that would make! Underwear inspectors?!?

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

Thanks for the link. From the other thread:

Rock Island is just the opposite; although the city would like you to clear your walks, its legal department says sidewalks are on public property and homeowners can’t be forced to clear them.

Yes, if the city can't deal with their property they should get rid of it. But to tell me to take care of it for them or I will be fined... isn't that a dictatorsdhip?

[Interesting Times]

You will eat the boiled okra and you will like it.

I might be induced to eat the boiled okra.

But I'm not going to like it.

[speekinout]

It's nice that Duncan let homeowners off the hook for not clearing their sidewalks. His admin. wasn't able to plow the streets, so why should the citizens have to shovel?
BTW, some of those sidewalks are snow covered because county plows piled the snow from the roads on them. And others are snow covered because the residents are shovelling the roads so they can get out if necessary.
Duncan is (epithet deleted)