File photo (Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today).

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Before we complain about snow removal, we should look at ourselves

Jan 15, 2024 | 5:55 AM

PERIODS OF SNOW are in the forecast for tomorrow and a couple of days after that so I guess the plows will be out again.

After the big dump last week, I got an email asking me to write about the terrible driving conditions around the entrance to Royal Inland Hospital.

“The City of Kamloops should be ashamed of itself,” it said, “for the lack of snow removal and maintenance on our lifeline road.”

Certainly, conditions around the hospital were bad, as shown by videos on social media of vehicles sliding all over the place. Civic operations director Jenn Fretz, though, had nothing but praise for snow-removal crews.

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It was, she said, “a great response,” especially considering a number of snow plow drivers were new and had to learn on the go how high to set their blades and such. Still, nothing’s perfect.

But residents aren’t without blame, either, and I have a few suggestions. Number one is obvious — believe it or not, some people waited for it to snow before putting on their snow tires.

Secondly, stay away from First Avenue during and after a snowfall. Watching cars and trucks ski backwards down that steep grade is entertaining but should be avoided.

The same could be said for Columbia Street, though that’s a tough one to stay clear of if you live or work in Sahali or Aberdeen.

And speaking of windrows, here’s one that happens every single winter and nobody ever gets the picture. I’m talking about the yard tractor warriors who insist on pushing snow from their driveways across the traveled road to the other side, living ridges of snow bumps.

People, please. It’s dangerous for anyone who comes along on the street, which is probably why it’s illegal. The law is never enforced but put on your conscientious citizen hat and think of others for a change.

Enjoy the next round of snow and be careful out there.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.