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Opinion Please, clear those sidewalks
Please, clear those sidewalks
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Come Saturday we will have had snow on the ground in La Grande for most
of the past four weeks. There have been days when we’ve awakened to 6
inches of snow. Or a couple of inches. There have been days when some
of the snow melted and turned to slush, only to freeze into more
slippery ice by the following morning. And through this winter
onslaught, there are sidewalks that haven’t been shoveled even once. Anyone who has tried to get around town by walking is taking a risk when there are sidewalks that haven’t been cleared. Getting traction isn’t too bad when there is some snow. But when the remaining snow starts to melt, then freezes, these unshoveled zones become treacherous. A pedestrian who is trying to maintain his or her footing faces a daunting task in negotiating some of these walks. Someone trying to walk to work, to the post office or the store will encounter sidewalks cleared in front of two or three houses in a row only to find a fourth that only has a path made by other walkers. City ordinance requires removal of snow from sidewalks, and for mitigating slick conditions when the snow turns to ice. La Grande has a lot of violators, as a walk through many of our neighborhoods will attest. Some people are physically unable to get out and shovel their walks. Most often, though, family or friendly neighbors seem willing to assist. The City of La Grande is compiling a list of people willing to assist those who have medical conditions that limit their ability to take care of their sidewalks. Call Public Works at 962-1325 to find out more. However, these don’t seem to be the people whose walks are safety hazards. The culprits more likely are vacant houses and what appear to be rentals whose renters and landlords just don’t seem to care. Frankly, they are the same houses where the lawns (and weeds) don’t get mowed in the summer and the leaves don’t get raked in the fall. If someone were to slip and fall and hurt themselves on one of these stretches of frozen, unshoveled sidewalk, the owner of the property could be liable for damages. And should be. To those who take care of their sidewalks in the winter, even when it’s for an extended time like what we’ve seen the past four weeks, we say thanks for helping make our community safer. And to those who don’t, well, we ask that you try to show some concern about safety. Please, everyone, shovel your walks. |
