12-01-2016, 02:49 PM
(12-01-2016, 02:05 PM)MidTowner Wrote:(12-01-2016, 06:24 AM)ijmorlan Wrote: Exactly on point. We could even make the city snow clearing opt-out: if you want your $50/year (or whatever) back, then fine, you get it back, and when the city crews come to do your street, instead of clearing the sidewalk in front of your house they will issue a ticket if it is not clear (or maybe call Bylaw to come by and issue a ticket in the next couple of hours if it is still not clear).
Let’s get real. How many people would really opt out? This is a non-debate, except as to the appropriate clearing standard.
We couldn't do that. Many property owners would opt out. Most of those would meet whatever relatively low standard the municipal government sets for itself, and then we would have a situation where the municipality clears half of the frontages on a street, probably at practically the same cost as clearing them all.
Why do you think that? By opting out you get back maybe one fine payment on your taxes, if that, and in return you’re responsible for clearing after every snowfall and subject yourself to liability to fines for failing. Certainly nobody who pays a snow-clearing company is going to opt out — there is no way the snow clearing company is doing it for less than the opt-out amount.