Bad sidewalks, we’re in Canada!

Dear editor: Re: “City letting sidewalk clearing bylaw slide, pedestrian says,” (Page 1 story and photo, Penticton Herald, Jan. 4, below).

In response to the above article, the question is begged, where did (un)common sense go?”

Please Mr. Readman, this is Canada. It’s a temperate climate, complete with snow and ice. At age 61, this is not your first rodeo.

I couldn’t help but notice that your footgear is summer running shoes. Like summer and winter tires, the compounds in the soles, especially in summer gear, firm up and become really slick on ice. Effectively, you were walking on two hockey pucks (also Canadian).

So, please, dress for the conditions and your maturity. I’d urge you to consider wearing a boot complete with katoola micro spikes or a similar metal spike system, when conditions are icy.

When I say “maturity”, this does not imply “old”. Rather, it highlights your wisdom and judgement. Most business people endeavour to promptly clear the walkways. It’s courteous and reflects our attitude toward our clientele.

Often, before we or our contractors can clear the snow, the sidewalks have already been trodden on forming ice. This is where we can demonstrate our leadership.

Assume the responsibility for your own safety and dress accordingly. Forget about misplacing the responsibility to others through litigation as our neighbours to the South do.

“A Superior Pilot is one who uses his superior judgement to avoid situations requiring his superior skills” sShared to me by my awesome flight instructor, the Late Jack Cundy.)