I understand that this topic is as tired as I am of driving on the streets in Prince George during the winter. Yet everyone I talk to has the same take on the situation which appears to elude our Mayor and Council. I would like to know how it's possible that the City of Prince George doesn't have an adequate budget for snow removal and keeping our streets clean. I've lived in this city since 92-93 and as far as I can remember winter and snow come every single year, without fail. It's not like some winters there is no snow. So doesn't it make sense then, to make sure that we have the money set aside to ensure safe winter driving on our streets? When the powers that be sit around and plan their wage increases or the raising of our property taxes, or the business licences that are increased every single year, what do we get for our money?
I am writing this on Sunday, December 30 and I haven't seen the streets cleaned since our last snowfall. The ruts are deep and treacherous on all of the major streets and woe to anyone who tries to cross these. Most of the intersections are glare ice and starting and stopping is optional at best.
Our son played in a hockey tournament this weekend and my wife and I had occasion to drive to the Coliseum, and at City Hall the driveways and walkways were scraped clean down to bare pavement, sanded and salted. There was a fellow there, on a Saturday, plowing and clearing the snow away.
Why do they get special treatment when the rest of us taxpayers have to take our lives, and our kids lives, in our hands every time we drive on the streets of this city?
My dad lives in Alward place and is eighty-six years old and he, and all the other seniors, have to walk every day on walkways that aren't shoveled or sanded. Their parking lot is plowed as often as our city streets and they pay for their parking monthly. Already this year they have had multiple slips and falls resulting in broken bones and other injuries. Now I know what I'll hear from the City on this, they will respond that Alward Place is the responsibility of Northern Health and that is the truth, but shame on you City Hall, you walk on your clean walkways and parking lots while our parents and grandparents are trudging through snow and ice.
Maybe our Mayor and Council members would like to make their way on slippery walkways and snow laden parking lots. Maybe a fall and a broken hip would open their eyes to what everyday citizens have to go through. Maybe, but I doubt it.
Assante Wholestetter
Prince George
