I just got back from walking my kids to school. As happens every year in Guelph, the sidewalks have become treacherous sheets of ice with frozen plow tracks along each side. My son fell twice, and some chose to walk on the road instead. Occasionally, the sidewalk was clear where some kind soul had taken the initiative to clear it off.
I once lived in a community where residents were responsible for clearing their sidewalks. Believe it or not, the sidewalks were always in much better condition than those in our city. Mothers with strollers and the elderly could safely navigate their way down the street during the winter months.
There is a reason that only a few communities in Ontario plow residential sidewalks – it’s costly and it doesn’t do a good job. How is it that only Councillor Piper seems to get this? Perhaps we should look at the issue of residential sidewalk plowing from the ‘triple bottom line’ perspective.
Economic. Discontinuing this service would save hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.
Environmental. There would be less air pollution created by sidewalk plows.
Societal. Communities would be ‘walkable’ year-round, not just during the warm season. Neighbours might stop to chat as they clear their sidewalks. Some will even help those who aren’t able to shovel – this is Canada’s most caring city after all.
As you look for new ways to bring the tax increase down, please think again about doing away with residential sidewalk plowing. DS
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I’m sure you already know my feelings on sidewalk plows, but is this not a cost we could cut back on? If they were used on streets like Eramosa, Woodlawn, Gordon and other streets that do not have houses on them. Let residents look after their own walks. I’m sure you have seen a huge increase in sidewalk plowing this year over any other year I can remember. (I have lived in the same place for 35 years). It is almost as if they are trying to blow the budget just to make it look bad. In one day I will see the plows 3 or 4 times on our street. This is just my opinion but worth a look. I have brought this point up with public works but they are just looking after themselves and their jobs.
Thank you for your time. DG