People Required to Clear the Sidewalks in Front of Their Homes

[Wingates_Hellsing]

If it wasn't for the military chap who moved in recently, it's probably end up being me that shoveled all through this most recent snowpocalypse (snowiest winter ever, Obama called it snowmageddon, but snowpocalypse is funnier IMO)

But, if nothing else, it would be highly hypocritical of me to support legislating being nice when I'm against legislating morality as a whole.

[guywithashovel]

I think the issue is more about being forced to do so, rather than the reasons behind it.

Shoveling your sidewalk is a good idea. If I had a sidewalk that was regularly used I'd probably shovel it anyway. I would just hate being told that I HAD to. Like the seatbelt law. I usually wear my seatbelt anyway, and one would be stupid not to, but I hate being told that I HAVE to wear it. Screw off, big brother!

This is pretty much how I feel about it, too. It seems that this issue is very much like most other issues. People hear your stance on it and jump to all sorts of outrageous, unfounded conclusions about it.

You support same-sex marriage? Why do you want to destroy the nuclear family like that?

You think drugs should be legal? Why do you want two-year olds smoking crack?!?

You don't think there should be a law requiring people to shovel the sidewalks in front of their homes? You're a lazy, good-for-nothing bum who can't be bothered to assume any responsibility!

I do usually shovel the sidewalk in front of my house. The only time I don't is when my neighbor with the snowblower beats me to it. However, I would appreciate it if the government would just stay out of the way and trust me to take this responsibility instead of threatening me with a fine if I don't. Besides, if the city DID start enforcing this law, they would have to pay people to scour neighborhoods and issue citations, which would be an added expense.

[Lachrymose]

Everyone's overlooking the real issue here.

This thread was started by "guywithashovel".

[Boozy]

LMAO!

I didn't even think about it until you pointed it out.

[HYHYBT]

I hate to ask again, but what about people who are away from home?

[MaseMan]

Take responsibility and arrange for a neighbor/friend/relative to do it?

[MaggieTheCat]

If you're only gone for a day or two, chances are it might not snow while you're away. Most people who travel will be watching the weather anyway and if they do decide to travel when snow is due in, just ask a neighbor to help you out for a day.

For someone who is gone longer than just a few days, I would think most of them would have a house-sitter check in on their house, in which case part of their "job description" would be to clear the sidewalk when it snows.

[IDrinkaRum]

Maggie's right.

When my mom and dad leave for their cruises during the winter months, it's either up to me, my husband, my sister, or her husband to clear the steps, sidewalk in front of their house.

Heck, there's usually a little "manly competition" between Mr. Rum and SisterRum's husband when my parents are home! ('cos you know, our 63-year-old, walks the treadmill for an hour, has lost 20 pounds father is ANCIENT! ).

[Boozy]

I hate to ask again, but what about people who are away from home?

People are really over-thinking this.

In most communitities, fines are very rarely given for not shoveling one's walk. If you're away for a few days and it gets missed, you aren't likely to return from vacation and find a pile of tickets in your mail box and a lien on your house.

By-law officers have brains. They aren't evil mindless drones who automatically fine people for every single violation on the books. Common sense is used.

[Bloodsoul]

I shoveled the sidewalk that runs alongside the parking lot at my job; I think I'm the only one who even bothers with it (especially since it snowed days ago and still nothing came of it).

The bank across the street only shovels the sidewalk along the main road (not the one on the road between us); that can make pedestrian travel quite difficult. I mean, if I can't traverse safely, than what else is there? Why, that might mean I'd have to actually GET INTO MY CAR AND DRIVE to get my fast food!

[HYHYBT]

One would hope... but after hearing about things like kids kicked out of school for "weapons" keychains, 1-inch-long plastic guns, and a stick to hold the trunk lid up, I hate relying on common sense in enforcement

But hey, down here nobody even *owns* a snow shovel. We stay in the house as much as possible for half a day, one day at most, and the walks and roads clear themselves

[Kimmik]

Here where I live in Mich a girl was killed because the city didnt shovel "THEIR" sidewalk.. ie it was city property... what did the city say... pretty much tough shit. Yet they expect homeowners and renters to shovel city sidewalks. Sorry but the city owns that cement pathway.. try and modify it and see what happens. Hell here there are streets that dont see salt or a plow.. there was numerous times at my old house that I had to call in because while the main roads where just fine... since we are a side street and not plowed but maybe twice... the snow was so deep my car was stuck... it took 5 people to move it to a safe location.

Not to mention that some of the sidewalks are safer with snow on them... stupid city not maintaining stuff..

[Sableonblonde]

As someone who doesn't drive and usually walks everywhere, it is such a pain when people don't shovel their sidewalks, actually it's pretty dangerous. I've nearly wiped out a few times over the past couple of weeks. A lot of people will shovel their steps and the portion of sidewalk leading upto the steps, but then they don't shovel the portion of sidewalk that goes the length of their yard.

But I don't get too infuriated about it only because I kind of know that I probably wouldn't shovel my sidewalk either, if I had my own house. (I live with housemates who take care of it).

[jackfaire]

I don't expect anyone to shovel the sidewalks I walk on to get places. I pay my taxes to the city not to those people If they are the ones maintaining things then maybe they should be the ones I pay.

[Dasota]

Living in the country, there weren't many sidewalks, and where there are sidewalks, it's actually the town that plows the sidewalks. There's a nice little bobcat like thing that actually does this. Now my only complaint was that when there was only a bit of snow, not enough to cover my shoe, it was all plowed no problem. Now walking to work was a major pain in the ass for me in the winter out there. On the days that it would really snow, it wasn't unusual for them to take DAYS to plow one of two main sidewalks.

Now that I live in the city, there are more sidewalks, which makes it easier for me to walk or ride my bike to work, though I do wish that the sidewalks were more regularly cleared. (It seems to be up to the people who live in front of the sidewalks to clear it.)

I don't really care if people do or don't clear their sidewalks. But for the love of god when it melts down, please PLEASE throw some salt out.

I understand why people are against HAVING to shovel their sidewalks. I know we don't, though that's mostly because anytime we get a shovel, it's expected to be stolen in a day or two, either by the mess of kids in the neighborhood, or some crackhead looking to make enough for their next hit.