Last winter, my husband and I made a vow to each other that we would shovel our driveway before we wrecked it. Normally, we avoid the necessity of shoveling our driveway until it was a nightmare of ruts, ice and slushy snow. This year, I'm proud to say, we were a little more proactive about our driveway mostly because we had to be. The snow this winter, I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, was obscene and as a result, my own driveway doesn't look that great (but it's better than last year).
A by-product of Mother Nature's extreme dislike for us this year, is an entire town angry at the snow removal team and at city council. This simmering hatred at the council and at the snow removal operators over that last few months has made me a bit sad. Yes, I also think that the roads are worse than I've seen since moving back to Prince George. However, I also know that I had trouble keeping my own little driveway clear during those intense snow episodes. Yes, my family and I were stranded at home three times because the roads were impassable and only through the grace of my two neighbours who plowed our street, we could leave the house. Our neighbours with their beautiful snow blowers enabled us to drive to the grocery store this entire winter. I've also heard stories from other people around town who have been snowblowing their streets and driveways for their neighbours. This has been a great year for community spirit and I for one am supremely grateful for delightfully generous neighbours. I am grateful for the time that everyone in town has given to their neighbours and for everyone pulling together.
It seems ridiculous to me to waste so much time complaining about the snow removal and being mean about it. The snow removal operators and the city council all have to drive on the same roads as the rest of us and are well aware of the state of them. The letters to the editor during the last month about snow removal have been mean-spirited and petty. Everyone in the city wants to have nice, dry and safe roads and we have to pull together to make it happen. I want to add a small addendum to my frustrated fellow citizens: it's absurd to make comparisons to the mayor and council's business trips to China and the snow removal budget. Business trips that further Prince George's economic development in places where there is money to be invested are necessary and to be encouraged, in my opinion. In addition, before you blame the snow removal operators for a terrible job this year, have a look at your own driveway and see if you could have done any better. Also, imagine them at a party getting razzed by their friends. It's enough.
