I should be out shovelling my sidewalks...

[TurnedTheCorner]

...but there's not enough energy in my "want to shovel the walk" budget to get me out there. I'll wait for the good weather. And if the city comes, I'll ask them to plow the road while they're here.

Great idea, or greatest idea?

[habernac]

my favourite thing about the past few days is the fact that half the fleet was idle yesterday when they should have had every person available clearing snow for the rush hour. Awesome planning by our city (as usual).

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by habernac

my favourite thing about the past few days is the fact that half the fleet was idle yesterday when they should have had every person available clearing snow for the rush hour. Awesome planning by our city (as usual).

Wow, really? That's pathetic. I mean, I know the snow removal is bad here...but wow. 200+ accidents and 9 injury accidents, and half the fleet is idle? Talk about abandoning your duties.

[Ren]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Wow, really? That's pathetic. I mean, I know the snow removal is bad here...but wow. 200+ accidents and 9 injury accidents, and half the fleet is idle? Talk about abandoning your duties.

I agree that the road clearing in this city can be awful at times but maybe people should learn how to actually drive in the winter before pointing fingers at the city.

It's like as soon as there's snow and ice on the road people just completely forget that you actually have to slow down and maintain control to avoid collisions. I'd estimate a good 90% of winter collisions are due to someone getting careless and slamming on the brakes and not knowing how to get out of a skid (hint: it doesn't involve braking).

Don't bother... it'll melt by tomorrow.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Of course people are largely to blame for accidents - but leaving half the fleet in the barns is borderline neglectful. Regardless of timing of the snowfall.

[Ren]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Of course people are largely to blame for accidents - but leaving half the fleet in the barns is borderline neglectful. Regardless of timing of the snowfall.

It costs a lot of taxpayer money to get those things running all over the city, and by the weekend most of it should be melted anyway.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Ren

It costs a lot of taxpayer money to get those things running all over the city, and by the weekend most of it should be melted anyway.

The whole point is that it should be cleared within 2-3 days of the snowfall stopping, max. I mean, what the hell is the city's plan? Offering sacrifices to the chinook gods doesn't count.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Of course people are largely to blame for accidents - but leaving half the fleet in the barns is borderline neglectful.

One could say the same about not shoveling your walk.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Which is kind of the point, again. The City wants you to do as they say, not as they do.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Ren

It costs a lot of taxpayer money to get those things running all over the city, and by the weekend most of it should be melted anyway.

It also costs taxpayers money to have their vehicle repaired when someone slides into them on crappy, icy roads. Bronco is talking about adding more money to add more vehicles to the fleet when half of them were already parked.

[Ozy_Flame]

What is with people and immediately pointing fingers at the City and expecting them to clear every square inch of snow off the road?

Let me tell you folks something - when snow starts to fall lightly at 2 a.m. and continues into the morning traffic, do you think The City has hundreds of staff to call up at the push of a button? This isn't the fire department my friends, and the budget can only handle so many workers at a time.

The same people that complain about snow removal are likely the same people who don't want to pay extra in taxes and likely can't drive in the winter either.

Suck it up Calgary, the City is not your savior - just a service that's trying damn hard to keep up with a City larger than the area of New York.

[TurnedTheCorner]

I don't expect the city to be a "savior", I expect it to do its ****ing job. I'd gladly play more in taxes if A) I could see exactly how much of my tax bill goes to snow removal, and B) I could see an actual result from giving the city this tax money. I gladly pay a community fee on top of my municipal taxes, and I can always see how it's spent in the community.

It's not solely a budget issue, it's also a management issue and a transparency issue.

[HeartsOfFire]

Yep, it's good to live life where a vehicle is not a necessity.

My feet and the C-train get me everywhere I need to be.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

I don't expect the city to be a "savior", I expect it to do its ****ing job. I'd gladly play more in taxes if A) I could see exactly how much of my tax bill goes to snow removal, and B) I could see an actual result from giving the city this tax money. I gladly pay a community fee on top of my municipal taxes, and I can always see how it's spent in the community.

It's not solely a budget issue, it's also a management issue and a transparency issue.

I understand your concern, but the City IS doing it's job. All drivers are obviously biased right now because A) the roads they take to work aren't at 100% condition, and B) the City likely graveled your road, you just didn't notice or there was a layer of snow on top and anything that doesn't resemble bare pavement pisses people off.

It's not like someone can just snap their fingers and demand all resources are utilized; the snow removal budget formula is based on amount of snowfall on a yearly basis, and how much overhead and expenses equipment, staff and resources will cost.

Obviously this snow squall in the beginning of October is rare; The City can't start dishing out all their budgeted money on perfectly-shovelled roads.

Let me remind folks that The City doesn't have a "bare pavement" policy when it comes to snow removal; that's only for emergencies and gravel is what The City uses.

[TurnedTheCorner]

So it boils down to a bad policy in addition to bad budgeting, management, and transparency. Which one of those is the City's job again?

[mykalberta]

If you live in Crescent Heights on my walk to work the City has been called.

48 hours is up and I am finished having to walk on ice.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

What is with people and immediately pointing fingers at the City and expecting them to clear every square inch of snow off the road?

Let me tell you folks something - when snow starts to fall lightly at 2 a.m. and continues into the morning traffic, do you think The City has hundreds of staff to call up at the push of a button? This isn't the fire department my friends, and the budget can only handle so many workers at a time.

The same people that complain about snow removal are likely the same people who don't want to pay extra in taxes and likely can't drive in the winter either.

Suck it up Calgary, the City is not your savior - just a service that's trying damn hard to keep up with a City larger than the area of New York.

I have to agree with this. People just love a reason to complain. If it isn't about the roads it will be about the taxes. It's a no win situation. I realize many people on CP would gladly pay the tax increase, but I would guess that the majority of calgarians would not.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by HeartsOfFire

Yep, it's good to live life where a vehicle is not a necessity.

My feet and the C-train get me everywhere I need to be.

Enjoy the 10 days a year where that is remotely advantageous.

[Peanut]

I don't want to pay more taxes so your drive in from the 'burbs is more pleasant. Invest in some snow tires and 4-wheel drive. You're welcome.