There’s snow way to win

Our beautiful fall weather inevitably gave way to winter, which finally reared its’ ugly head with freezing temperatures and six inches of snow on Dec. 5-6.

It seems everyone must ‘re-learn’ driving habits to avoid insurance deductibles until spring weather returns.

There are other dangers as well. Each year folks slip on the ice, trip on a snow bank or shovel their sidewalk without proper precautions.

If you must shovel snow remember it’s hard physical labor, and you need to be in shape. If you’re not used to the effort, please get someone to help you. Don’t over exert and endanger your health.

If you have to walk in the snow, hold onto someone’s arm, use a cane or stick or whatever helps you keep your weight balanced over your feet.

Don’t walk with your hands in your pockets. If you slip you’ll never get them out in time to avoid tailbone or other major injury.

You’ll probably recover from a broken wrist easier than broken ribs or a concussion.

Our City crew is to be commended on their snow removal efforts. They respond to the storms day and night to ensure safe travel in town.

‘Rule of Thumb’ policy is we plow after about four inches of new snow. City hall usually receives complaints following these snow events from folks ‘snowed in’.

If the city took time to plow each driveway and alley, many of the main streets would not get plowed at all until a day or two later.

This would only change the nature of complaints from individual inconvenience to one of public safety.

The city could double the crew and snowplows to accomplish more in a shorter timeframe. How would we pay for that?

A center berm in the street will freeze solid and eventually create a very narrow lane of travel and fire trucks and ambulances need the entire street width to turn into alleys in an emergency.

I suggest a bit of patience with our hard working city employees. I ask that we help each other as neighbors.

If you own a snow blower, is it too hard to plow your neighbors’ sidewalk or driveway as well; especially those that are unable to perform these tasks themselves?

Many people find it impossible to be mobile in this weather, sometimes weeks at a time. It may be an opportunity to strengthen relationships with your neighbors.

Winter is a beautiful time of year and there’s something magical about the first snow. We should all be able to enjoy each season and celebrate natures’ dramatic changes.

A little caution and awareness of your surroundings will help you enjoy this season to the fullest.

Oh, and please don’t go jogging in flip-flops and shorts. It’s too hard to explain to the ambulance crew.