The Observation Deck

I usually walk my dogs on Clifton and it is always the worst, but the residents/owners are not at fault. The city plows come by at a high rate of speed and send the snow onto the sidewalks. I can see where it is difficult to clear, and unfair to expect the residents to clear it. I'll say it again: we need a municipal solution, especially when the municipality causes the problem.

I am also a daily dog walker and it's been a nightmare. I've been walking in the street a fair bit because the sidewalks, cleared or not, are a broken arm waiting to happen.

Lori, if I had to pick which sidewalk to walk my dogs on, from those three picture you posted, I'd actually pick Clifton. Everybody who shoveled their sidewalks, as I did, during the snowstorms now has an sheet of ice for a sidewalk instead.

todd vainisi wrote:I am also a daily dog walker and it's been a nightmare. I've been walking in the street a fair bit because the sidewalks, cleared or not, are a broken arm waiting to happen.

Lori, if I had to pick which sidewalk to walk my dogs on, from those three picture you posted, I'd actually pick Clifton. Everybody who shoveled their sidewalks, as I did, during the snowstorms now has an sheet of ice for a sidewalk instead.

But when our sidewalks have melted, the ones on Clifton will become a very thick and long-lasting ice field.

I keep my side walks clean, but if the city plows came by and throw all that frozen slush into my driveway, I will call city hall to complain. I will not attempt to clear frozen icebergs. and by law, I cannot push my snow into the streets. Should be the same the other way around.

I think RoadRunner makes some pet-friendly ice melt that you can put down. I started using it last year and it works great. It won't hurt the pet's paws. If you can't get it at Drug Mart, Lowe's or Home Depot for sure.

I can clear my sidewalks after a snow fall, I can't clear the sidewalks after the city plows throw mounds of snow, ice & slush on them, it's frozen solid, heavy and deep.

On a positive note, I will say that these business did (and usually do) a great job on their sidewalks:

- O'Neill Healthcare
- Bruce's Automotive
- St. Luke's Church

I was not out and about much today, I can't tell how sidewalks were done in other areas of Lakewood. However, even with no school, Lakewood City Schools maintenance crews were out very early this morning clearing the sidewalks around the schools. Even City Hall has been better this year with clearing sidewalks around their properties.

Please clear your sidewalks. Indeed, even just "one shovel wide" is better than nothing.

I wonder if a leaf blower could be made so that it blows out hot air to melt the snow on sidewalks and steps, your car?

At 61 I shovel my sidewalk, walkway , driveway and everything in between because it's a responsibility I take seriously as a good neighbor.
Special shout out to Family Dollar and Drug Mart who treat their Grace Ave sidewalks as some terra incognita to be avoided at all cost.
It's good to be a commercial interest in Lakewood.

While many businesses were a little bit better this snowfall in regards to clearing sidewalks, I will say that many are still not obeying the law. In fact, some are getting worse.

This is not a new issue to Lakewood. It has been complained about on the Deck for years. Nothing ever changes.

Ryan P. Nowlin has decided to run for re-election. I would like Ryan P. Nowlin to explain, specifically, what he has done to improve this situation.



This is even worse and deserves a special mention. The Rockport Square sidewalk on the north side of Detroit is a disaster. This is a long stretch of sidewalk and there is no excuse for the Cleveland Clinic...errr...Forest City...err...Rockport Square not clearing it.

The mayor's alleged friend and campaign donor, William Sanderson, lives within sight of this sidewalk. He is the registered agent for Rockport Square LLC. Where is he? I couldn't imagine Summers giving him a free pass on obeying the sidewalk clearing ordinance.

City Hall appears to be sticking their necks out to allow Mr. Sanderson to build homes on City Hall's land bank lots, apparently without competitive bid. It appears that he can't maintain what he has now.