I’ve been meaning to write this post all week, but ultimately wasn’t motivated to do so until it affected me personally. Last night while walking in my neighborhood, I slipped on what is now ice on a sidewalk that had not been shoveled. Now, I’m not bitching so much for myself; I have 24/7 access to a gym that I can use for exercise and I was perfectly aware that there was the danger of ice and unshoveled snow out there and I chose go out in it anyway.
But people do use the sidewalks and it should be the responsibility of the home owner to make sure the sidewalks are clean. Why is it we demand that people keep their yard mowed but don’t seem to care if the sidewalks aren’t kept clean? I would estimate that about a quarter of all homes in my subdivision have not cleared there public sidewalks of the snow that fell Saturday.
I know that there are some people who are physically unable to remove snow. And in my neighborhood, I mostly know who they are. But you know what, those people, for the most part, DO have their sidewalks cleared. I don’t know if it was just a helpful neighbor or they hired someone, but somehow they got their sidewalks done even if they couldn’t do it themselves.
One of the residents who didn’t is a Springfield police officer. They must have really lowered the physical standards if this guy can’t get his ass out and do a little shoveling. Yes, serving and protecting the city, except in front of his house. Others I know are able to do it themselves and some have kids and teenagers who are certainly up to the task.
Maybe some people think that no one uses sidewalks because no one walks. Admittedly, there really isn’t anywhere to go in our neighborhood other than to another house. But if these careless people would look at there unshoveled walkways, they might notice that they are full of footprints. So the evidence is right there that people use the sidewalks. I and many others use them for exercise. Kids need to walk to their school bus or over to a friends house. The old lady across the street from me walks her dog several times a day, both for her and her dog’s benefit. I actually think about her in particular when I’m out shoveling.
People, we live in a community. We all need to do our part. Somehow your lawn gets mowed in the summer. You need to shovel your walks in the winter. You lazy fucks.
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3 comments:
This bothers me as well. When I drive through our neighborhood, I take note of who doesn't have their sidewalk, or even their driveway, cleared. I then assume the worst about their work ethic and question their value to society.
Dave-
I couldn't agree more. I walk my dogs every morning, and it gets nearly impossible some days because of the ice and packed snow on the sidewalks.
I'm terrible at yard work. I know my neighbors hate me because I like the look of fallen leaves on my yard. I don't mind that there are leaves decomposing and providing nutrients to my lawn. I kind of like that. It saves me fertilizer money. But those things are not a health risk to them. When it comes to snow, I know my duty. I go out and shovel and throw some salt down.
My husband and I aren't physically able to shovel snow ... but we have a great guy that we hire to do it for us. First thing Sunday morning he was over and had cleared our driveway, porch, walkways, and the public sidewalk. Neither of us use our sidewalk ... but it matters to us that there are people who do.
Did you guys see the report on the local news about mail service, snow, etc.? They told the story of a local mailman who fell on some ice on someone's steps. He wasn't seriously hurt ... but they were reminding people that, legally, the post office doesn't have to deliver to your home if your walkways aren't cleared and safe.
Now ... here's the kicker. Right after saying that ... they interviewed a lawyer who said that even if someone fell on your property because of ice, you couldn't be sued. You are not legally required to clean your sidewalks, walkways, etc. of snow or ice.
WTF? You just get done telling us about a mailman who fell on someone's ice ... then basically do the whole "wink wink nudge nudge" thing by finding a lawyer who says, "But you don't have to do anything about it?"
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