311 is waste of money - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

FlamesKickAss · 01-23-2008, 10:41 AM

I need to vent on this. I live in copperfield right at the end of McIvor Blvd and it is nearly impossible to get onto that road because of the amount of snow build up, so I call 3-1-1 and ask if they can note something and I get told I have to wait for a chinook.

Now normally I wouldn't call but the amount of snow is ridiculous, and yesterday morning when I left for work it wasn't there. I think what makes it worse is all the big heavy trucks that create ruts that almost high centre my car. In fact I did get stuck last night turning off of my street, thanks to the guy that stopped and helped me dig out by the way.

Any ideas on where I can take it to? It would take one maybe two passes and it would be cleared up. The part off of McIvor is a block long and on mcivor it is okay going northbound but southbound is terrible and bounces cars around like crazy. I find this very dangerous and the city just turned their back.

Thanks for letting me rant.

ken0042 · 01-23-2008, 10:47 AM

I would let the Alderman who named the street after himself know what kind of shape it is in, and what kind of response you got from 311.

But to really get action, call the developer. IIRC if you are in the new part; the streets are actually their responsibility for now. When I moved in I had a complaint about street sweeping, and 311 told me the developer was responsible until the road was done.

IntenseFan · 01-23-2008, 10:52 AM

If you sweep the road yourself (or hire someone to do it) make sure the City never finds out it was you. I find it amazing, but they will actually ticket you for doing so.

GrrlGoalie33 · 01-23-2008, 11:34 AM

Yes, 311 is a waste. I have called there twice over two different events and recieved bogus answers both times as well.

Once I had a sanding truck fly by me at probably 20km over the speedlimit (on a residental road), covering my windshield in sand/salt and muck from the roads. I called 311 to report it and they told me he was just doing his job and in the future I should stay out of the way of the trucks to avoid this.

The other time was a dog left in a car for over 3 hours barking and lunging at people as they walked by the van and 311 told me it wasn't hot enough to warrant sending someone out - and the dog wasn't being aggressive enough.

Jayems · 01-23-2008, 11:42 AM

I've never had a problem with 311, and have actually found them very helpful for my calls.

Barnes · 01-23-2008, 11:48 AM

I live at the end as well. The snow is there because of the crazy wind from yesterday. It blew across the field onto the road.

It was pretty much all gone this morning from what I saw walking to the bus.

You Need a Thneed · 01-23-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayems

I've never had a problem with 311, and have actually found them very helpful for my calls.

Same Here. Not that I've made a lot of calls.

RougeUnderoos · 01-23-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankster

Yes, 311 is a waste. I have called there twice over two different events and recieved bogus answers both times as well.

Once I had a sanding truck fly by me at probably 20km over the speedlimit (on a residental road), covering my windshield in sand/salt and muck from the roads. I called 311 to report it and they told me he was just doing his job and in the future I should stay out of the way of the trucks to avoid this.

The other time was a dog left in a car for over 3 hours barking and lunging at people as they walked by the van and 311 told me it wasn't hot enough to warrant sending someone out - and the dog wasn't being aggressive enough.

Isn't 311 just information? Like instead of calling them to "report" a speeding sand truck I think you call them to ask for the number to call to report a traffic violation of a city vehicle, or about the dog, you might call them to ask for the number for animal services or some such thing.

SeeGeeWhy · 01-23-2008, 12:06 PM

311 has always been very helpful for me, too.

I think the roads are the developer's responsibility up until a certain point, so maybe take it up with them.

Hack&Lube · 01-23-2008, 12:32 PM

You can blame this on urban sprawl. If Calgary and surrounding communities would only built up instead of out we'd have less of these infrastructure problems, especially in a winter city!!! More city = more surface area for snow to fall on = snow crews are useless.

GrrlGoalie33 · 01-23-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Isn't 311 just information? Like instead of calling them to "report" a speeding sand truck I think you call them to ask for the number to call to report a traffic violation of a city vehicle, or about the dog, you might call them to ask for the number for animal services or some such thing.

In both cases, I asked for the number/to be transfered but that didn't happen. My understanding, based on this, is that they are "triage" for city services.

FlamesKickAss · 01-23-2008, 12:33 PM

I emailed my alderman and will see what he has to say. The thing that makes me mad was what she said, the wait for a chinook comment. They only clean streets in playground/school zones and trouble areas and that's it. What do other cities do? My dad lives and new jersey and they have the grater come by after a snow fall

Jayems · 01-23-2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

I emailed my alderman and will see what he has to say. The thing that makes me mad was what she said, the wait for a chinook comment. They only clean streets in playground/school zones and trouble areas and that's it. What do other cities do? My dad lives and new jersey and they have the grater come by after a snow fall

I'm not sure how big the street we're talking about it, or what the traffic volume is, but I've never ever seen a plow or grater on my residential street. It's not to say I don't sympathize with you, but I just can't see the city plowing every street in the city. And if they did, most wouldn't get done for weeks, and by that time, a chinook would probably take care of it anyway.

REDVAN · 01-23-2008, 12:41 PM

311 is a joke. My ex works for the city and she used to tell me how she would just laugh at people who called in. What a pile of BS.

Barnes · 01-23-2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayems

I'm not sure how big the street we're talking about it, or what the traffic volume is, but I've never ever seen a plow or grater on my residential street. It's not to say I don't sympathize with you, but I just can't see the city plowing every street in the city. And if they did, most wouldn't get done for weeks, and by that time, a chinook would probably take care of it anyway.

It's a dead end road that's not even half complete.

You Need a Thneed · 01-23-2008, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Isn't 311 just information? Like instead of calling them to "report" a speeding sand truck I think you call them to ask for the number to call to report a traffic violation of a city vehicle, or about the dog, you might call them to ask for the number for animal services or some such thing.

No, 311 is not just information. It is the number that you call to report those things.

When we accidentally punctured the water main line in my basement (before the shutoff valve) this fall, I called 311, the waterworks guys arrived in about 10-15 minutes to turn off the street valve.

Ducay · 01-23-2008, 01:18 PM

311 is great and has always worked well for me.
The city is having some difficulties because people are treating it as a "complains" line, (which it isn't), so they are dealing with a lot of undue calls from annoying people who like to whine.

Vulcan · 01-23-2008, 01:47 PM

The way I understand it is the city only clears residential streets that are on a bus route. I always found it kind of hilarious [although I'd keep a straight face] when people recently moved from other cities complained that their street hadn't been cleared yet. I didn't have the heart to tell them that it wouldn't be cleared.

Slava · 01-23-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

I would let the Alderman who named the street after himself...

That echoes my first thought! The street can't seriously be called McIvor Blvd though is it? Please tell me that there is a better reason that it would be called this, and it has nothing to do with a guy trying to singlehandedly make moustaches vogue on city council again?

(Sorry to interrupt the thread!)

ken0042 · 01-23-2008, 01:57 PM

Yep, it is indeed named after him.

As for 311 being a waste, this thread reminded me that I needed to call them. Those of you who live in the area will know about how 52nd street SB has a lane end abruptly- forcing people to turn into the Sobey's or cut off other traffic. I think there should be some sort of signage there indicating the lane ends. Anyways I called, had all the info taken down- we'll see what happens.

Last time I called them was when they were surfacing 52nd about 2 years ago; they left a 3 inch drop off from new to old pavement which either caused damage or forced people to slow to 20. I called it in and the next day the abrupt drop was cut down to a mild bump in the road.