Winter Walking and Cycling

[ijmorlan]

And if they’re concerned about people whining about the cost, they can always offer an “opt-out” option. In practice, this would mean the City plow would lift its blade while it drives over the sidewalk in front of the opted-out property then put it back down on the other side, but the property owner could feel good about sticking it to the taxman. Of course bylaw should visit every opted-out property exactly 24 hours after snowfall ends and issue a ticket if it’s not at least as well cleared as the non-opted-out properties. I think very quickly the opt-out rate would shrink to negligibility.

There are several issues with this solution.

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It’s more of a reductio than a serious proposal. The point is to try to get people to think about whether opposing this increase in City services really makes any sense — would anybody really opt-out in order to get $27 back, if it imposes on them a real obligation to clear their sidewalk all winter? I say they wouldn’t, which if true proves that the city should be clearing sidewalks. That is, anybody who wouldn’t opt out is in favour of having the City clear their sidewalk, even if they think and say that they aren’t.

Having said that, I think you could maintain a list of addresses and have the plows skip them. It certainly wouldn’t save money, and might even cost a bit more, but if it allows the program to be implemented it might be worth it. I doubt you would have anybody on the list after the first couple of seasons. The first fine to a property would negate the $27 savings, and with only a small number of properties to enforce, enforcement could be rigorous.

The bylaw would have to be changed to specify that the standard for clearing by opt-out people is the same as for the City service. Actually, here’s a fun idea: instead of being a true opt-out, allow people to direct their City sidewalk clearing fee to anybody they want, including themselves. If they don’t meet the requirements of the contract, they are fired and don’t get paid (i.e., they have to pay the fee after all).