Woefully inadequate, dangerous, life threatening just a few of the printable choice words I have heard to describe the state of the streets of Prince George. All justified by an impotent effort to save money. I ask you mayor and operations manager what is the cost of personal injury, pain and suffering due to the numerous accidents caused by your lack of plowing? What is the cost to the individual taxpayer for the repairs on their vehicles caused by driving on these city streets? What is the cost of the equipment damage by ignoring the opportunity to plow during our rain and thaw, but waiting for it to freeze then attempting to plow miles of frozen solid ice? What is the cost if an emergency vehicle response is delayed due to the lack of road maintenance? Have you thought about the damage being caused to the underlying street by driving on rutted washboard roads leading to more pothole and road repair in the spring.
Are the ridiculous taxes we pay in this city not enough to provide us with safe passable streets? Apparently not as the mayor and council have seen fit to raise taxes and decrease service. One would think that by raising taxes, services would be maintained or maybe even improved.
Please, I implore you to consider the bigger picture. The cost to the taxpayer with the horrible street maintenance far out weighs the savings of the current practice of decreasing the frequency of plowing.
Robert Pritchard
Prince George
