Snow Day for JCPS!!!!!

Please, I'm so tired of all the "you guys are so lame" posts.

If I see a thread that "annoys" me, I tend not to revisit it multiple times because that just annoys me more. That strategy also helps control my BP which is a completely different matter that *really* annoys me. It's only the internet after all.
Best,
Bill
(I generally like monkeys).

QUite frankly after UPS threatened to pull out of here in 94 (and yes i know we've only had one snowfall like that since) there's no excuse for the city not having more snow equipment. We've caught unprepared the last 3 winters and it's ridiculous, it's not like this stuff is an anomaly anymore.

QUite frankly after UPS threatened to pull out of here in 94 (and yes i know we've only had one snowfall like that since) there's no excuse for the city not having more snow equipment. We've caught unprepared the last 3 winters and it's ridiculous, it's not like this stuff is an anomaly anymore.

Like Marsha said, it's not the main roads that aren't being cared for, it's the neighborhoods. I live on a dead-end street in Crescent Hill that has never seen a plow. I'm at the end of street. If I'm able to navigate to the open end, I have no problem making it to New Albany. The longest trip so far this year was still under 30 minutes. We need higher concentration on the non-main roads too.

and that falls under my statement of we need more equipment to meet the need. There's no excuse for not having it by now.

and that falls under my statement of we need more equipment to meet the need. There's no excuse for not having it by now.

I think we have the right equipment. I don't think it is being managed properly.

[Robin Garr]

and that falls under my statement of we need more equipment to meet the need. There's no excuse for not having it by now.

Actually, from an urban management standpoint, that's not a valid argument. Given tight budgets and a public predisposition to oppose tax increases even when services are needed, city management sometimes becomes an actuarial issue. We're in a region where most snowfalls are in the 1-6 inch range and don't last all winter. To invest in Minneapolis-style snow-removal equipment to guard against an occasional storm would be bad financial judgement and would require pulling money from ... what? Parks? Police protection? Decisions have to be made, and one of them may be to accept that a snowstorm is going to bring us a day or two of hell before things sort themselves out.

If you don't like it now, you should have seen it before the old city and suburban school districts merged in 1974 and desegregation busing put squadrons of school buses out on the roads where there had been only a nominal number traveling shorter distances before. The once-in-a-century storms of 77 and 78 caught the city with almost no snow removal equipment at all, and the schools closed for 30 days.

After that we got some snow blades.

I find an interesting parallel between Louisville and Indianapolis. Until recently, neither city ever touched "neighborhood" streets. Although I don't know the details or the impact, I seem to recall recently that Indy, under certain conditions, now utilizes approved private contractors to clear residential streets. Indy gets a bit more snow than us, but not a huge difference. Seems like a reasonable alternative to a heavy investment in trucks and plows that may not be utilized regularly.
I wonder if Jefferson County has ever looked into this approach?.

and that falls under my statement of we need more equipment to meet the need. There's no excuse for not having it by now.

I think we have the right equipment. I don't think it is being managed properly.

My own two cents...You're both correct. My own little diatribe...

Pre "brining" and salting prior to a snowfall of 3+ inches does little more than create the illusion that the city/county is being proactive. Very light snow or freezing rain in the forecast, yeah it does it's job...most of the time...depending on ambient air temp (salt based solutions become less effective as temps approach the low 20's). Otherwise it really doesn't do jack squat in improving overall road conditions. Don't believe me ? Go out and put a liberal dose of salt on your driveway (like I did for this last dusting), wait until it's done snowing and go out and see just how clear your driveway actually is. In some cases...the most recent "storm" being a perfect example...The brine/salt actually creates more problems than it solves. It creates a thin barrier of liquid between the road surface and the snow, once the solution becomes diluted and the air temps drop (like they did last week) you get ICE.

So if I'm the HMWBIC (Head Mutha What Be In Charge) I'm doing the following:

I'm discontinuing all this pre brining/salting stuff (except in conditions identified above). Then I'm taking the money that I would have spent on excessive salting, fuel for vehicles...along with a bit of the tax money I'm going to take in because people are actually working as opposed to calling in sick to work to take care of their kids and I'm going to buy (I dunno)...10 or 12 used trucks/plows from some northern municipality. Doesn't matter if they are rusted pieces of junk...as long as they run 4 or 5 times a year, I'm gonna use 'em.

Next, I'm gonna put in a "Snow Emergency" plan (it amazes me that we can spend millions of dollars on once in a billion terrorist response plans and can't come up with a simple plan for snow removal...I digress). Snow emergency: Total odd/even parking ban on city streets...No parking on the "odd" side of the street for the first 8 hours, no parking on the "even" side of the street of the next 8 hours. 16 hours (as opposed to three days) later...streets are clear. Don't want to move your car ? Fine, I'll tow it. You can pay me $100 bucks (plus towing) to get it back. I'll use the money I take in to help pay for more of those used snow plows. Oh...and the sidewalks ? (We were in St. Matts on Saturday and couldn't find a sidewalk that had been shoveled). So If you're a business or a residence and don't have your sidewalk shoveled within 8 hours...I'm gonna fine you for that too...$25 bucks...and I'm gonna use THAT money to buy more of those rusty snow plows.

You got it, Stev-o.! I'll vote for you any day.

You got it, Stev-o.! I'll vote for you any day.

Gayle,
.... I'm afraid any political aspirations I might have entertained went by the <ehh-hem> wayside years ago.

Then with the salt issue, one has the crazed woman that call the Cafe to complain about the salt she tracked into her house and onto her carpet, with a tone that maybe I should foot the bill for cleaning her carpets.. You've got to be kidding. No, Next time I will have a special little icy ramp set up for her so she can break her hip and sue the shopping center and me and the sidewalk contractor and the news stations for not warning her of this impending hazard. One of my favorite complaints of the year. Happy New Year, Bill.

Then with the salt issue, one has the crazed woman that call the Cafe to complain about the salt she tracked into her house and onto her carpet, with a tone that maybe I should foot the bill for cleaning her carpets.. You've got to be kidding. No, Next time I will have a special little icy ramp set up for her so she can break her hip and sue the shopping center and me and the sidewalk contractor and the news stations for not warning her of this impending hazard. One of my favorite complaints of the year. Happy New Year, Bill.

Just trying to get what's coming to her.

Speaking of which; I had a grilled pimento-cheese, bacon and tomato sandwich with a cup of spicy chili coming to me last Saturday @noon. Very good stuff. I'll be back, sidewalk salt or no!

David, Thanks for coming by. Noon is always the crazy transition from breakfast to lunch and with a very inexperienced and slow dishwasher and our daughter just home from the hospital for a blood clot in her arm, it was not the smoothest Saturday or the kindest and gentleness atmosphere we try to foster,.I hope you can overlook all that and come back and try all our goodies. We take it for granted (its that good) but Susi and I visit you all the time. Thanks again. Bill

Could be worse! In Chattanooga a few years back and saw a snow plow BEHIND the salt truck!

First truck drops the salt and the second truck throws it to the curb!

David, Thanks for coming by. Noon is always the crazy transition from breakfast to lunch and with a very inexperienced and slow dishwasher and our daughter just home from the hospital for a blood clot in her arm, it was not the smoothest Saturday or the kindest and gentleness atmosphere we try to foster,.I hope you can overlook all that and come back and try all our goodies. We take it for granted (its that good) but Susi and I visit you all the time. Thanks again. Bill

It's all good Bill. I was a little concerned when told that I couldn't order until noon at ten till, but by the time my debit was run it was noon. Mine was probably the first lunch you sent out. Is there a breakfast period on Saturday's that is slower?