City Hall Cite Snowbound School Students

[marklingm]

City Hall Logic: Students can walk in the street (and traffic) if there is snow on the sidewalks, but students can't walk in the street (and traffic) if there isn't snow on the sidewalks.

See http://fox8.com/2014/02/11/students-warned-watch-where-you-walk-or-be-cited/.

The cause of students walking in the street (and traffic) still isn't being addressed by City Hall.

[Peter Grossetti]

Just last November, Lakewood was named Ohio's most walkable of the state's 114 largest cities by population by the Walk Score website http://www.walkscore.com/.

Gotta wonder how we fare in next year's rankings when Walk Score finds out that Lakewood youngsters are being cited as they walk to school.

[Kristine Pagsuyoin]

It sounds to me like we are punishing the wrong group of people. The fact is that when businesses or residents don't keep their sidewalks clear sometimes the safest walk for kids is on the street. Especially during peak times when the sidewalks are overcrowded with kids of all ages walking to or from school. Plus, it is also a fact that many of our Lakewood students just don't have the proper boots to walk over icy slippery snowy walks.

The City should be focusing their energy on citing business and residents who don't keep their walks clear instead of a lot of energy put toward punishing kids. We used to have programs that helped people who simply can't keep their walks clear (disabled and elderly) or who can't afford regular plowing. Do these programs still exist and are they being utilized?

A couple of years ago the community had sidewalk conversations with the city (Clear-4-Kids)--then it didn't snow. Well, it is snowing again and the work that was done to better this problem should be honored. For the most part, along Hilliard/Franklin I have noticed that the side walks are cleared and kept in good shape. The city assisting with clearing this stretch of road was one of the outcomes of the snow conversations.

It drives me crazy when sidewalks are clear or when the weather is nice that some kids/adults still walk in the streets, but I have witnessed areas this winter where the condition of the sidewalks make it very tough for people to use them. I do report areas to the city when I can.

[Stephanie Toole]

Excellent points Kristine.

Why would we expect the police to take the time to cite the kids/adults walking in the street to avoid slippery dangerous stretches of sidewalk? Why are they not instead using their time to visit these business who refuse to shovel their sidewalks?

And when I say refuse, that was exactly what I mean. I made a stop during my run yesterday with my dogs at the Sunoco that sits on the corner of Hilliard and Madison, one block from Harding Middle School. A route traveled by dozens, and dozens of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders each and every day.


Sunoco at the corner of Hilliard and Madison. Refusing to shovel the sidewalks.

In a nutshell, my conversation with the owner went like this:

Sunoco owner: "I refuse to shovel the side walks."

My response: I made my plea for the safety of our students and others like myself who walk/run that portion almost everyday with my dogs. I talked about being a responsible business owner. Doing the right thing. Does he have kids that walk to school? (which he said yes he did!!). All the while 4 young strong adult males stood their listening.

The owner told me, "It was the cities fault, for each time the plow goes by it pushes the snow back on his sidewalks."

My response was that every other business along that stretch of Hilliard and Madison, including the dilapidated Hilliard Theatre, manages to keep their side walks clear. Why can't he? That is been over a week since a city plow has gone by. Why hasn't he taken the time to get the sidewalks clear and safe. They ARE NOT SAFE!!

He said he'd try. TRY!! That's all, try?

I told him I'd be back today to check.

There is also a double on Hilliard across from Harding. Its for sale and they use a plow to clear the drive and leave a huge pile of snow, a 3' mound of rock hard icy snow, right in the sidewalk path.

It's been well over a week. Plenty of time to follow the city ordinances. Why do we have them if we do not even to try to enforce them?


Double on Hilliard across from Harding. Its for sale and they use a plow to clear the drive and leave it all( a 3' mound of rock hard icy snow right in the sidewalk path.

Stay tuned....

(sorry about the big pictures. I can't figure out how to post them smaller)

[Ryan Salo]

It has been a while since snow has lasted this long on the ground.

I just spoke with Mayor Summers about the sidewalks and streets. He said that the city is sending out 1700 letters to landlords to remind them of their obligations. He also mentioned that he has some inspectors out, not issuing citations, but knocking on doors asking folks why they are not clearing their sidewalk. He said they are working on getting the word out to just remind folks how important it is. I then switched gears and mentioned I was impressed the last couple snowfalls in regards to clearing the streets. He mentioned something I had not heard before, I guess in the last few years we had lost quite a few senior employees that were really experts at plowing and the new folks really hadn't had much experience. The first couple snowfalls this year were almost like training for them and that is another reason why things have improved.

It was good to talk with the Mayor and was impressed he answered the phone himself after 5:30. I do have a suggestion for those that read this. If you own or know a neighbor that owns a snow blower, just take a few extra minutes and clear a path on the sidewalk a few houses in each direction. It is sometimes easier to just do it for others instead of yelling at city hall to give them a ticket.

[Ryan Salo]

Councilman Tom Bullock (who always seems to respond in less than 10 minutes!) just sent me a copy of the letter that is going out. Here it is.

February 10, 2014
Dear Lakewood Landlord,
This has been a very challenging winter in many respects. I write to ask for your cooperation and remind you of your responsibilities.
Clearing your street:
During major snow events, our primary goal is to clear the streets for safe passage. This task is complicated by the parked cars on our streets. We need you to allow your tenants to use your driveway during this plowing phase. Failure to get clear access to the parking lanes requires us to return frequently and continue to plow around the remaining cars. We find that we repeatedly dump snow on the driveway aprons. This aggravates the situation. It is to the advantage of tenant, landlord, and city staff to get our street returned to full width and access as soon as possible to return to safe street parking. Please allow your tenants access to your driveway.
Clearing your sidewalk:
You are responsible for ensuring that your front sidewalks are shoveled. Lakewood is one of only three school districts out of 612 in the State of Ohio that does not bus its students. We rely on property owners to clear their walks for safe passage for our students. You are obligated to clear your walks by 8 PM following the end of the new snow fall. Your compliance withthis ordinance is expected.
Automated Refuse and Recycling:
Large snow accumulations on our tree lawns challenge our automated bin pickup capability. Please make sure your tenants place their refuse cans in appropriate places on the correct day, as well as remove the empty cans from the tree lawn on collection day.
Our automated recycling is being phased in over three years, commencing in 2013. This program also requires your support and communication to your tenants.
Detailed Information can be found on the city’s website:http://www.onelakewood.com/PublicWorks/Refuse_Recycling/Default.aspx
Thanks for your contribution to our mutual success as cityofficials and landlords.
Sincerely,

Michael P. Summers, Mayor

[Glenn Palmer]

The letter should be addressed to Dear Lakewood Homeowner / Property owner/ Business owner, because this most certainly is not isolated to landlords.

From what I've seen over the past few days we currently don't staff enough inspectors. I have conversations daily during the winter about this exact situation. Businesses MUST take pride in their community if they want the community to support them in return and nothing says "Open for business" and "We care about more than just our customer" than a cleared sidewalk during the winter. Budget money and time for Pete's sake you live in northern Ohio and history dictates that we will have winter weather. Giving citations to school aged kids seems a little passive, the city has given an ample amount of time since the last snowfall now they should issue warnings and or fines for non compliance of an ordinance. We have been put in the spotlight lately with "best this and that" and to have all that good PR ruined is a slap in the face to all of the people that try daily to improve and promote a community that they are proud of.

Here is a link to a past Facebook post on this topic:

https://www.facebook.com/239564443524/p ... =1&theater

[Jim O'Bryan]

Glen,

Thanks for the link, this is a two year old thread from people using real names, and do a search for snow removal and you can see 10 years of conversation including some
fascinating comments from Mayor George, and Mayor FitzGerald who used to jump into
the discussion on this an other tough subjects. It would seem current administration prefer
backslapping tweets and run philosophy.

The Lakewood Observer, where you never need to sign in unless you want to post, and the only "personal information asked for is your real name, no ads.

.

[Gary Rice]

After seeing the pictures, I was concerned as well. (I've been a VERY happy customer of that service station at Hilliard and Madison for years, regarding my vehicle service and repairs) I called the owner of that station, and by the time I had done so, he said that he had already taken care of the sidewalk in question. I later drove by, examined the situation, and spoke personally with him.

It would seem, as well, that there has indeed been a very honest concern about where city plows can quickly push the snow off the streets at that busy Hilliard-meets-Rosewood-meets-Madison-meets-Carabel and Orchard Grove intersection.

Fortunately, I understand that good people have been discussing this situation, and I would imagine and hope that things should be much better in the future at that location.

Back to the banjo...(Makes a good snow shovel:-)

[Stephanie Toole]

I too received a call letting me know that the Sunoco had taken care of the dangerous situation.

Thank you for taking the time to make a call yourself Gary. It is our civic duty to look out for our children/teens within our community. This is what makes Lakewood such a unique wonderful community and why we have felt blessed to raise our children here.

Cleveland winters will come and go. Some are worse than others. The past two winters were so mild we literally ran in shorts more than tights. This winter has been the exact opposite. That's how things roll in Northeast Ohio.

I love Glen's view point as a business owner. The attention to shoveling is a reflection on how the customer and community are viewed. If business owners do not take the time to shovel properly and pick up trash and keep their flower pots watered and other such things in clean working conditon, then IMO the owner is just plain being lazy.

[Jim O'Bryan]

There are a couple places I could have posted these two photos, but it made the most sense
here, as this seems to address that as well.

The City of Lakewood really responded and upped their game with the latest snow storm.
What had gone from a terrible experience has been pretty mild thanks to the hard working
city workers, and management.


By my house. In both directions we are complete freaks over keeping our walks clear. Rarely
do they go more than a couple hours with snow, almost never 24 hours. We each help each
other with walks, and keeping them clean. The average age is probably 50 of the shovelers
for two blocks.

Riverside is way to dangerous to walk in. A couple summers ago a car landed in Nate
Kelley's front yard, a girl drunk, and Nate saw the need for a complete restriping job so
you could see the curve with 3' to the curb. Even in the dry it is a tough curve for many
but in the snow, the rain, at night it is much worse. So besides pride we want people safe.

Every pass of the plows put more salt ladden ice onto our drives, treelawns, and lawns.
Which means we are out again shoveling, and shoveling and shoveling. It is the price we
all pay for living in Lakewood, and in this region. Thank god we are not Hambden Township!

However, it seems pointless to do this and have this sitting at the end for 3 days now.


I mean this pile is nearly as high as the Do Not Enter sign Nate Kelley had installed when
he got tired of cars on his street.

But what really got me thinking was, how can City Hall go on TV to threaten kids with
tickets, when they are erecting barrier that send people into the street? That makes a
speed trap seem semi-legit.

Now if the city gave us pristine streets. Dry, clean city walks, no huge mountains of snow
that make it easier to stay in the street then climb back up the wall of ice. I could
understand their stance. But for the elderly, and at most places on Detroit Avenue.
You park your car, and have to walk a couple store fronts to find lowlands over the
mountains.

If this city s serious about being a "destination city*" and i hope they are as that is why
we did postcards for everyone. Then we should make the experience, nice, safe, clean
without always having to crack down on the locals.

But it rare moments like this unbelievable storms, which don't even rate on the history
meter," maybe we give the residents a break, as we are going through it with you together.

FWIW


.

[Jim O'Bryan]

There are a couple places I could have posted these two photos, but it made the most sense
here, as this seems to address that as well.

The City of Lakewood really responded and upped their game with the latest snow storm.
What had gone from a terrible experience has been pretty mild thanks to the hard working
city workers, and management.


By my house. In both directions we are complete freaks over keeping our walks clear. Rarely
do they go more than a couple hours with snow, almost never 24 hours. We each help each
other with walks, and keeping them clean. The average age is probably 50 of the shovelers
for two blocks.

Riverside is way to dangerous to walk in. A couple summers ago a car landed in Nate
Kelley's front yard, a girl drunk, and Nate saw the need for a complete restriping job so
you could see the curve with 3' to the curb. Even in the dry it is a tough curve for many
but in the snow, the rain, at night it is much worse. So besides pride we want people safe.

Every pass of the plows put more salt ladden ice onto our drives, treelawns, and lawns.
Which means we are out again shoveling, and shoveling and shoveling. It is the price we
all pay for living in Lakewood, and in this region. Thank god we are not Hambden Township!

However, it seems pointless to do this and have this sitting at the end for 3 days now.


I mean this pile is nearly as high as the Do Not Enter sign Nate Kelley had installed when
he got tired of cars on his street.

But what really got me thinking was, how can City Hall go on TV to threaten kids with
tickets, when they are erecting barrier that send people into the street? That makes a
speed trap seem semi-legit.

Now if the city gave us pristine streets. Dry, clean city walks, no huge mountains of snow
that make it easier to stay in the street then climb back up the wall of ice. I could
understand their stance. But for the elderly, and at most places on Detroit Avenue.
You park your car, and have to walk a couple store fronts to find lowlands over the
mountains.

If this city s serious about being a "destination city*" and i hope they are as that is why
we did postcards for everyone. Then we should make the experience, nice, safe, clean
without always having to crack down on the locals.

But it rare moments like this unbelievable storms, which don't even rate on the history
meter," maybe we give the residents a break, as we are going through it with you together.
I don't mention the piles and holes etc, and you give the only give the residents tickets for
crimes, and certainly don't gloat nationally about doing it!

FWIW


.

[marklingm]

Riverside is way to dangerous to walk in. A couple summers ago a car landed in Nate Kelley's front yard, a girl drunk, and Nate saw the need for a complete restriping job so you could see the curve with 3' to the curb. Even in the dry it is a tough curve for many but in the snow, the rain, at night it is much worse. So besides pride we want people safe.

Every pass of the plows put more salt ladden ice onto our drives, treelawns, and lawns. Which means we are out again shoveling, and shoveling and shoveling. It is the price we all pay for living in Lakewood, and in this region. Thank god we are not Hambden Township!

However, it seems pointless to do this and have this sitting at the end for 3 days now.





I mean this pile is nearly as high as the Do Not Enter sign Nate Kelley had installed when he got tired of cars on his street.

But what really got me thinking was, how can City Hall go on TV to threaten kids with tickets, when they are erecting barrier that send people into the street? That makes a speed trap seem semi-legit.

Now if the city gave us pristine streets. Dry, clean city walks, no huge mountains of snow that make it easier to stay in the street then climb back up the wall of ice. I could understand their stance. But for the elderly, and at most places on Detroit Avenue. You park your car, and have to walk a couple store fronts to find lowlands over the mountains.

If this city s serious about being a "destination city*" and i hope they are as that is why we did postcards for everyone. Then we should make the experience, nice, safe, clean without always having to crack down on the locals.

But it rare moments like this unbelievable storms, which don't even rate on the history meter," maybe we give the residents a break, as we are going through it with you together.

I don't mention the piles and holes etc, and you give the only give the residents tickets for crimes, and certainly don't gloat nationally about doing it!

In fairness, perhaps City Hall will issue that guy a citation, Jim.

According to the latest tweet:

Michael P. Summers @LakewoodMayor

over 114 citations issues thus far to Lakewood business for not shoveling on Detroit & Madison. Let's all get our walkways cleared! #1LKWD


Retweeted by City of Lakewood

http://www.onelakewood.com/

I can't imagine that City Hall would give that guy a special pass.



And I'm sure that guy watched this video:





Matt

[marklingm]

From: Tuttle, Michael [mailto:Michael.Tuttle@lakewoodoh.net]
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 3:12 PM
To: Tuttle, Michael
Subject: snow covered walks

The City has cited 114 businesses for failing to shovel their sidewalks. If a business near you is failing their duty call or email Mary Simon at 529-7697 or mary.simon@lakewoodoh.net The big stores with their own parking lots are often guilty of this behavior.
Mike

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[Jim O'Bryan]

These were sent to me...

Lakewood City Hall

Thank you...





While I appreciate the clean up. I want it understood the point of my post was not a call to
action, but a call to lighten up on the residents,

Today I get calls from parents that got ticketed, for walking and parking at a school event
today. All claimed to be legally parked, and kids trying not to walk in streets.

Why crack on good meaning honest working people, where there is obviously issues on all
sides. What is the purpose?

.