Mount Pleasant DC Forum

bdweller · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 118

why didn't any trucks come through Mt.Pleasant? 18th st, Lamont, Kilbourne were not plowed or salted. All the roads that were treated seemed fine by today but the ones that were left are a mess! Why can't this city get this right. We get snow every year, be prepared.

Nickel · Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Posts: 103

Mayor Fenty failed to declare a snow emergency which meant cars blocked a lot of main streets that then could not be cleared and that backed everything else up. He should have talked to some folks in the other cities he visited before becoming Mayor about what happens to Mayors who fail to remove snow in a timely fashion.

jack · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 4400 Location: 19th & Lamont

Michael · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 51

flydhest · Joined: 30 Jul 2004 Posts: 240

While it would have been nice to have had things cleared, I'm not convinced that this is an issue to get terribly up in arms about. I have biked to work each day this week. Drive cautiously and pay attention and it's not a big deal.

I would ask, however, are we going to see any citations for people who haven't shoveled their sidewalks? I have neighbors that are either elderly, others with a minor disability. Not having a path on the sidewalk for their use is a fairly large imposition.

bdweller · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 118

MPHS · Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 91 Location: irving St

What happened to the barrels of sand at key intersections and street corners? What happened to the crews digging out cross walks?

Especially those cross walks and sidewalks at the little triangular parks around the City that are not the domain of a homeowner or business.

These would have helped, but weren't provided as in past years. I'm surprised the snow removal wasn't better since there were no other storms this year.

flydhest · Joined: 30 Jul 2004 Posts: 240

bdweller,
Wow, sore spot. So you know, I did drive during the week as well. While bicycling is my primary form of transportation, I do own a car and use it now and again. I stand by my statement that it isn't a big deal. Taking an hour to get out of a parking space . . . I can only imagine (and then only barely).

mha · Joined: 07 Jun 2005 Posts: 171

The beauty of the weather is it sometimes brings events on that aren't easily overcome by our frenetically-paced civilization. Roads aren't easily cleared with the weather below freezing. Cars parked on crowded streets aren't easily moved (and I've yet to see a DC road crew digging cars out for owners). And from driving to walking to working the weather is saying slow down for just a bit - a day or two - because you can't beat this until the weather cooperates and the ice and snow melt away.

Sure it can be a challenge to get around. People don't shovel their walks because they can't, won't or are clueless that they should. The plow clears the street but hems in the two wheel drive cars. The buses don't run on time or are full. Metro fails even more than normal. The corners are blocked by snow/ice plowed by city workers. And bikes without knobbly tires can be dangerous to ride.

But it won't last forever and it's a great reminder that Mother Nature still rules.

Nickel · Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Posts: 103

uuhhhhh.....OK. Can you pass the hookah?

MPHS · Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 91 Location: irving St

mha · Joined: 07 Jun 2005 Posts: 171

smithdo · Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Posts: 199

I drove during all three snow days last week, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. I noticed many cars that got stuck, two for really dumb reasons.

If someone drove past you and suggested you turn your BMW wheels to the right and back all the way back, that was me. Didn't want to be rude, but you were stuck due to your driving.

I faced no obstacles getting out of Mt Pleasant and didn't notice any problems with the snow or ice.

There is one thing I do, however, that I would recommend that all able-bodied residents of Mt. Pleasant do. As you know there are many long-term residents of Mt. Pleasant who are not physically able to shovel to the extent they once did. Also note that very few of the people who were shoveling for money were out in the early morning on Wednesday. That said:

On Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning I shoveled not only my steps and sidewalk (took about 10 minutes each day) but also the steps and sidewalk space beloging to two widows on our block. Again, tops I was shoveling for 20-25 minutes for all three houses and when I was growing up, shoveling for 45 minutes was the norm with a large driveway, so I consider this no effort.

So, in the future, please consider your neighbors when you've got the shovel out. It will help them, help the post office, help people walking down your sidewalk.

Yes, I'm talking to YOU group house residents.

Rolling Eyes

Laurie · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 739

I am so with you smithdo.

We always do the elders on our block and it is the group house next door that never cleans up. Go figure.

And, my BMW did get stuck over off Wisconsin Avenue last Wed on a side street and I had to be pushed out--it was pretty embarrassing b/c my 5 Series drove right throw snow. The 3 Series (convertible) STINKS in the snow!