Question of the Day: Snow removal?
What grade would you give the town, county and state in their efforts to remove snow from Plainview's streets this weekend?
The first significant snow fall arrived Saturday. Plainview roads were snow covered by morning. The town's plows were out in force.
There were also a spate of accidents reported around Long Island, including a major wrecks on the Southern State Parkway and the Long Island Expressway.
What grade would you give to the plowing efforts this weekend by the Town of Oyster Bay on Plainview's local streets and the county and state on the bigger roadways?
Was their job adequate? Solid? Insufficient. Take our poll and tell us in the comments. Also tell us the most dangerous roads and intersections in the area during the storm.
Simba
11:14 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
I give them a B-C, once again I don't understand why they couldn't drop any sand. My street was solid ice at one point.
But I give my neighbours an F for not clearing sidewalks, especially at School Bus stops.
Gary Talkofsky
12:58 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
I give the neighbors an F myself too for not shoveling the sidewalk. It the same house every year. Do they need someone to fall first before they get their lazy selves out there.
Joe Dowd
4:52 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Simba & Gary. Good points: But the issue may be an aging population in some parts of town who simply can't move the snow. Also, there are less kids around willing to do the job for $10 bucks. The last time I needed to get dug out, the local kids shook me down for $40. Seems excessive. What do you think?
Simba
5:54 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Joe when I was a teen in the City, we charged 40 and that was over 30 years ago. As far as the Elderly, when I had elderly neighbours I would clear their side walk and driveway. It was only fair since they watched my house whenever I wasn't home. We need more of that in this town. My beef is with people that watch every day kids waiting on their corner for the bus and when it snows they do not clear it. If you own a house you have a responsibility to be a real home owner on community member. Not just plop your butt on the couch. Get out there and do it. It especially erks me when it's out of laziness when the husband is younger than me, works out (nothing else to do) and he can't get his butt out there.
I'll be honest and say if significant snow falls and my kids are waiting in the street, I will contact TOB and hope for the best.
B
7:46 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Joe, if only that were true but far and away many of the unshoveled sidewalks belong to young/middle-aged residents.
In regards to cost, I don't know the going rate but I'd say if homeowners are willing to pay someone to mow their lawn, then perhaps they should be willing to factor in the cost of snow removal to their propery ownership expenses. (Maybe that will be the next phenomenon around here-- lawns going unmown.)
Simba brings up the interesting phenomenon we have around here as well: folks who are willing to shell out $100+ a month to join a gym where they can run in circles, but are unable/unwilling to come out and clear 50 feet of sidewalk. It's baffling, and also frustrating to see the school kids walking to school and waiting in the street for their buses.
Gary Talkofsky
11:20 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Joe, Many of these home owners I see have teenagers and young adults in the households. They are just too lazy. I have a corner house and I have a snow blower. Snow blowers are not expensive these days.
Thor
8:22 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
It is the same story on my block. Middle age folks, some with teen kids, that just don’t care. As for the kids shoveling these days – they get everything from there parents, so there is no incentive for them to shovel to make a few bucks. I’m with Simba, as much as I don’t like to, I will be making calls this year. Maybe if enough people call the TOB will get proactive and take some action.