12-17-2016, 05:51 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-17-2016, 05:53 PM by danbrotherston.)
(12-17-2016, 05:39 PM)creative Wrote: Are you unable to look at the positive in anything. Our neighbourhood sidewalks are cleared promptly by it's residents of varying age groups long before snowplows appear. We assist each other clearing sidewalks and end of driveways. Today I went out to shovel the end of my driveway and two neighbours with snow blowers came over to help. You say you want the city to plow our sidewalks because it is their property and therefore their responsibility. Should they also plow out the end of my driveway when it gets plowed in because that is also city property? The vast majority of property owners are responsible and clear their sidewalks promptly. Yes I agree that there are some that are irresponsible but try looking at the greater city as a whole.
That is absolutely not why I argue the city should clear sidewalks. It has nothing to do with responsibility for property, I don't even see it as "their property". Sidewalks are public property, we all own them, and we're all responsible for them. I see walking as a right. And the city, OUR government, is responsible to us for ensuring we can exercise those rights. We tried the 'maintain your own sidewalk' policy, and it doesn't work. Your neighbourhood might be clear but plenty are not. Main roads, through streets, are not. Therefore, we, the people, are responsible for implementing a new policy that actually does work, we do so through our government.
The vast majority of property owners are responsible and clear sidewalks. The city as a whole doesn't matter, what matters is can someone walk somewhere, it doesn't matter if I walk past 10, clear properties, a 100, even a 1000, if the 11th, or the 101st, or the 1001st is uncleared and prevents me from finishing my journey. Think of the disabled people who are literally trapped inside their homes all winter because they cannot reliable walk down the sidewalk.
The city as a whole is no better than the weakest link.
I'm happy to look at the positive, however, I am unwilling to ignore the problems we have just to feel good that people can walk past my house, or my neighbourhood. Positivity is one thing, ignoring our problems is another. I'm simply responding to the argument that everything is fine and dandy on our sidewalks. It is not.
You should assist *all* your neighbours, your fellow Kitchenerites, by advocating for a snow removal policy which ACTUALLY ensures that *all* citizens of our city can safely use our sidewalks in the winter.