Comments on: Monday Snow Report: Slow Progress

By: Jesse

Jesse — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:46:37 +0000

Some of those complaining need to put things into perspective.

Currently, the DC metro area has had the second highest snowfall in the ENTIRE nation this winter. More than Colorado or those places where people like to complain that Marylander’s are sissies because we cannot handle snow.

Syracuse is the only area in the country that has had more snow than us this season and they are only ahead by 10″.

Annapolis is no different than any other area in the region right now. We’re buried.

The same people complaining about a lack of equipment would complain if we invested in new equipment.

If you find yourself bitter, step away from the Internet and spend some quality time with your loved ones.

By: Marta

Marta — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:35:26 +0000

I have lived here my whole life, and Annapolis has become a city of whiny demanding transplants. In 1966 we had a major snow storm. Our streets were not plowed for days, my father took the sled and walked to Eastport for groceries, dragging them back. Snow is a big event here, we don’t get it much. We used to close the streets – such as the hill in Primrose – and sled. We all pay Annapolis taxes, some of us because we want to live in our hometown, and some of you because you wanted to come to this sailboat capital -but this is an old town, with narrow streets, and the plows are doing the best they can. Big trucks cannot manuever cul-de-sacs, small trucks cannot plow through deep, heavy snow. This is Annapolis folks, and this is a freak storm. The plow drivers have been without sleep for days, trying to plow out all the streets. I know most people are tired of being stuck in the house, but geez, I don’t want my taxes raised higher for equipment that may dryrot and rust before it gets a chance to be used again. When we get out, we’ll get out.Why are so mny people being so snarky and rude?

By: Al Parkinson

Al Parkinson — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:27:32 +0000

It is amazing how fast the roads have been cleared now that Mayor Cohen and more importantly Doug Smith, Chief Administrative Officer(since he seems to be making the decisions) have decided to pay the contractors to come in and help. The storm of the century and we just started contractors on tuesday? I would love to hear an answer why. I guess the citizens and local businesses get shorted while they try to save money.

By: Carol

Carol — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:39:58 +0000

Mayor, thought you’d like to know that a plow did plow in toward my drive last evening in the cul de sac of Langdon Court. Day 6 of the storm is better than nothing at all, and at least now in an emergency I could get out or someone could get in.

May I make a suggestion on how to handle plowing cul de sacs in the future? This is based on what Annapolis crews used to do before this year. It’s quite simple. THE PLOW MAKES A CIRCLE AROUND THE CUL DE SAC GETTING AS CLOSE TO EACH NEIGHBOR’S DRIVE AS POSSIBLE. You put the snow in – of course -the center of the cul de sac. There’s plenty of room and this allows all neighbors to be able to back out into the circle. In 2003, our last huge storm, this method worked quite well. The pile of snow in the center of the cul de sac didn’t melt until April, but it was OK because everyone could drive out ino the plowed circle from the beginning of the storm. Recent efforts have been dismal, and attempts to dump the accumulated snow in front of people’s homes have blocked mailboxes That ineffective method is more difficult to accomplish compared to the simple effective method I described above that was used in the past.

By: Sarah Soenstein

Sarah Soenstein — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:32:27 +0000

Mr. Cohen,

What is the condition of the street where you live ? The public is dying to know of you are in fact using your position for personal gain. Tell us please.

By: Ryan Bagwell

Ryan Bagwell — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:11:30 +0000

A lot of us have the day (or days) off and nothing better to do than to shovel show. Just a thought, but 100 people with shovels could probably dig out an entire neighborhood in a few hours. Instead of hiring a dozen contractors, maybe a good old fashioned snow-bucket brigade would also be helpful.

According to this, men should be especially willing to participate: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/09/AR2010020902466.html?hpid%3Dopinionsbox1&sub=AR

By: SHAKEN

SHAKEN — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:58:07 +0000

the front end loader has plowed- Hilltop,Spa,South Cherry Grove,Homewood, Dominoe…both sides.langdon ct..yes..I did the HOLE street and court!! When I get off my shift,I read your comments and write down the streets.With no lunch or breaks, I did the above streets when I finished Clearing Bayridge Rd.
I live on a court too…no one has touched mine.I shoveled my own..after my shift!

By: Bob Libson

Bob Libson — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:13:12 +0000

Josh:

You have my sympathy for getting hit with 3 snowstorms so soon after taking office, the last 2 one after another. I know you realize that snow removal after a major snowstorm is a core function for municipal government.

I would not advocate that the City needs to own sufficient equipment to deal with the sort of storms that have hit us this year. I am sure, however, that all concerned now see the need to have ironclad advance agreements with local contractors with plenty of heavy equipment to move snow in these situations.

I am writing at 6:00 Wed. 2/10. The 15 +/- homes on the 2nd block of So. Southwood Ave. between Virginia and Ritchie(City St.) plus the 10 or so homes on Ritchie (City St.) plus the 40 + homes in the private community off of Ritchie served by this last block on So. Southwood have apparently been ignored despite fairly substantial population (65 + homes). Indeed, I don’t think even the first block of So. Southwood off of West St. to Virginia Ave. has been plowed (another 30 or so homes).

After the Dec. storm, my block (the 200 block of So. Southwood) only got plowed late on the 3rd or 4th day after the storm because I happened to see a City plow/salt truck on Virginia Ave. and asked the driver to please turn rt. at So. Southwood and plow a lane.

While 4 wheel and all wheel drive vehicles were able to get out of the 200 block So. Southwood from Sun.-Tues. in tracks made by these vehicles, now even 4 wheel drive vehicles cannot traverse the 200 block of So. Southwood.

Since it appears that most people who responded to your message by e-mail got fairly prompt action, I am using this forum to ask that heavy equipment (that’s what it will take since we have had both storms accumulation with no plowing to date) be dispatched soon to our street, hopefully in time to get people out by Thurs. AM. Please help.

Thanks very much for whatever help we can have.

By: Vlad Sherman

Vlad Sherman — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:19:59 +0000

One would think a new Mayor, especially one with such an experienced well-paid management team would have other things to do than field questions about snow removal. Don’t get me wrong, I understand this is a great opportunity for Josh to show us he is one of us, that he cares, that our pain is his pain, but snow is not a new phenomenon- my research has informed me that snow has been in Maryland well before the invention of the automobile–and Josh should steer the public dialogue to the snow specialist on his Idea Team. A little snow page , with FAQ’s and fun little snow jokes.

And Josh, if this one goes horribly, you really should fire someone and show the management team you mean business. I mean, why should you know anything about snow removal ? Don’t we pay you to do something else ?

But I am curious Mr Cohen, what are the streets like near your house ? Share with us that tid-bit of very important information. Do you really feel our pain ?

By: Laura Souder

Laura Souder — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:59:15 +0000

I think the crews are doing a fabulous job given the weather that Mother Nature has decided to send our way. Kudos to all!