FredMax

Sun, Feb 6, 2011 : 11:20 p.m.

Cash, In the absence of door-bell ringers, maybe check craigslist, I've seen some low cost "student shovelers" advertising there.

DBH

Sun, Feb 6, 2011 : 10:51 p.m.

I just walked on Eisenhower Parkway this afternoon (+/- 5:15 p.m.) between Boardwalk and S. Industrial Hwy. and the sidewalks on the north and south sides of Eisenhower Parkway are not cleared at all. I estimate a depth of 4-5 inches through which I had to trudge.

TheGerman

Sun, Feb 6, 2011 : 10 p.m.

@LOVEMI I don't know what the snow crews should get a pat on the back for. Even 5-6 hours after it stopped snowing yesterday, many roads, including Stadium Blvd (right where I live), may have been plowed, but were still not in good condition. The problem is that they drive way too fast and still can't get it right. The county, and surrounding cities are doing a much better job than Ann Arbor is.

eom

Sun, Feb 6, 2011 : 8:20 p.m.

I love the GPS idea - it seems that we have enough technology enabling the city to keep track of properties that don't take care of their sidewalks. I understand that people aren't always able to do it themselves, but regardless, you are still responsible for the sidewalks as the owner. We walk our dog in our neighborhood and constantly come across sidewalks that are NEVER cleared. It's dangerous out there when sidewalks aren't cleared. I complained a about a few properties and they were served with notices...amazing...they get cleared now.

LAEL

Sun, Feb 6, 2011 : 5:54 p.m.

@Cash: the selling candy gets foisted on the kids by whatever organization (school, club, etc.) they belong to that wants to raise money. I have a friend who was told that if his kid didn't sell enough candy for his club, he'd have to fork over the difference out of his own pocket. Maybe some parents will read your comment and encourage their kids to go out and sell snow shoveling services after the next storm.

WalkingJoe

Sun, Feb 6, 2011 : 5:19 p.m.

I applaud everyones comment on clearing the sidewalks. As an avid walker for my excercise I would love it if everyone would clear their sidewalk. I love the fact that Ann Arbor clears the walking paths at Gallop Park so I can walk my dogs there. With all this talk about the snow and clearing from the walks I have to ask the questiion, why in the summer when there is no snow do people insist on walking in the street?

LOVEMI

Sun, Feb 6, 2011 : 5:07 p.m.

I would like to thank the city of Ann Arbor for being on top of clearing the snow from the roads. The snow crew has done an outstanding job and deserve a pat on the back for the job well done. As for walkways on the residential area as well as some commercial districts, we can work together to help each other clear the snow from these walkways so we can continue to make our city beautiful and a fun place to live. Just a few more weeks of this. Please hang in there ....the ground hog has already seen his shadow.

Brian Kuehn

Sun, Feb 6, 2011 : 4:38 p.m.

My experience with the City enforcement of the sidewalk ordinance has been good. A house (bank-owned) across the road never had its sidewalk cleared. I made a complaint via email and the next day a ticket was posted on the home's door. The sidewalk was subsequently cleared and now the walkway is typically the cleanest and first one cleared. My assumotion is the bank hired someone to clear the walk as a result of the ticket and complaint. Problem solved.

Cash

Sun, Feb 6, 2011 : 4:31 p.m.

Tom, I'm a senior lady and shovel all my own walks and my double wide drive but I know some people who can't. It would be nice to see the county organizing young people to volunteer to help others who want to stay in their own homes but can't keep this stuff up all winter. Sororities and fraternities, service organizations, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church youth groups....wouldn't it be great to see our young people unite to make out county safe for walking and make the life better for those who have lived a long life and are plain tired? And as a snide comment that I'll probably get slammed for....why were so many young people ringing my door bell Sept-Dec selling tickets, candy, wrapping paper, cookies etc.....but none of them back to ask for a paid job shoveling walks and drives? I'd pay well to have some help. I'm old and tired.

Tom Joad

Sun, Feb 6, 2011 : 4:19 p.m.

Ann Arbor needs to be more diligent about enforcing snow removal on sidewalks and assiduously enforce the law that homeowners and businesses keep it clear. Perhaps issuing a notice within 8 hours of any accumulated snowfall. Failure to heed the notice would result in a fine or having to pay for snow removal by the city. This oversight could easily be accomplished with hand-held GPS units tracking each house a notice was left. Perhaps I'm the only observant one out walking around but I've noticed that sidewalk at crosswalks are NEVER clear. I'm talking about the corners of most every street I walked by. The plows push the snow, making pedestrians wade through snow just to cross a street. For an elderly or disabled person this is unacceptable and treacherous footing. I expect more from a city that touts itself as a university town that encourages non-vehicle transportation. The streets are cleared as a priority but in the process leaving the snow in my crosswalk!