Unhappy with snow removal

Dear editor: I am writing in regard to the City of Penticton’s poor system of snow clearing in a city that has such a high percentage of seniors, and those with disabilities using mobility aids.

It appears that the city works department needs some serious consultation with those who use our sidewalks. There are far too many people who do not make arrangements to have the sidewalks surrounding their property cleared when it snows.

The city’s system for dealing with such people, seems to be to wait until they get a complaint in the office.

Secondly, the city is doing a poor job of prioritizing where and what areas they clear. Case in point. The first deep snowfall we had, the city did not clear the bus stops at the Penticton hospital for three weeks. In fact, in that case, it was a 60 year old bus driver who went out on his own time, and cleared the stops because it was so dangerous for people with mobility challenges to get on and off the bus. This should not be how our city handles snow clearing.

The hospital should be one of the first places cleared — and kept clear — as it is an essential service.

Believe it or not, this last bout of snow, the city went through all the main thoroughfares, clearing the bike lane, and pushing the snow back up onto the sidewalk. For those who did clear their sidewalk, it was a waste of time after the city snow clearers got through. After the city got through, it was impossible for those with disabilities to use the sidewalks at all. There is a solution to all of this. In Oliver, the town has a contract for the sidewalks to be cleared with a small bladed machine, the cost of which is divided among everyone, on our taxes. Considering there are very economical ways to make such a contract, the cost per taxpayer would be small. It would be money well spent. Roberta Spara

Penticton