Plowing City Streets

[Ralph]

I know we always complain about the quality of plowing here in Utica, but is it just me or does it seem to have gone downhill since the new Administration reshuffled everything?

I know that to me it seems like it has.
I find it to be too little too late, and not near as good as it could have been.

Even the main streets seem to be worse than usual.

Anybody else have an opinion on it?

[bobbbiez]

Sorry Ralph, can't make a comment, (as much as I'd like to , I'm in Constable right now, not Utica, and we didn't get as much snow as you and the DPW department here has all the roads looking mighty good right now. ;D

[froggy]

Doesn't look any better or worse from this admin to last year's to be honest.

Here is a tidbit to absorb and consider next snowstorm. If it is a weekday and schools are closed, the DPW is in no hurry to clean up the city. Also, if it is a weekend, likewise with school closings. Next time, on a weekday, when we are getting snow and schools are open, see if this holds true. Traditionally, that's the way it always appeared. And I lived in Utica for 28 years and still work here everyday, so I see it up close and personal.

Also, anyone who comes into the city from the outer lying areas can probably all vouch for this also. It seems that right at the city lines is like night and day. Take for instance the county (and city) line on Rt 5S. Usually it is nice and clean on the Herkimer side, but shortly after passing into Utica heading west, it gets really ugly. I believe it is a state highway but none the less I have seen how the plows loop around on Pitcher St to say one plow route ends on the border.

[Clipper]

Gee, do ya think that maybe he cut a little deep in doing away with supervisors at DPW? While drivers are most likely capable and well trained, they DO need supervision to organize their efforts. Ya can't just turn em loose and say, go plow guys.

[thelma]

The roads are horrible. Here in North Utica, Herkimer Road (ak/a Route 5) is designated as a Snow Emergency Road and should receive top propriety for making sure the road is kept plowed. IT WASN'T!!!!!!

Tje street I live on wasn't plowed until after 10 AM this morning - by one plow making onw sweep up the middle of the street!

DPW had plenty of warning this storm that dumped over 9 inches of snow on us was coming. It started snowing yesterday morning (as predicted) with the light snow which intensified in the afternoon (as predicted) and kept snowing all night(as predicted). What was DWP doing during this time? It certainly wasn't plowing with ALL the plows to keep ahead of this storm.

Which relative of our new Mayor is now the Commissioner of Public Works as he certainly is NOT doing the job he was hired to do.

[froggy]

Thelma, I left West Utica yesterday to head home to Herkimer, about 4:30 to stay ahead of rush hour. I jumped onto the arterial and into North Utica, and onto Herkimer Road (aka Rt 5) and it was not very good yesterday either. Once I got past Dairy Dell in Schuyler it was clear sailing.

[thelma]

Thanks for confirming my story was true. But, as you previously pointed out - there was no school for any of the students in Utica so why bother clearing the streets for the men and women that have to get to work in the mornings.

I remember one time when I was working, I left to go to work and I got as far as the Arterial and turned around; went back home; and called in and took a vacation day as the roads were too bad to drive on.

[wcup102]

Well, to be honest, I have not seen much of a change since last administration. I do not live in the city but I do have alot of plowing accounts in the city. It does not matter where you go, the side streets in all the neighborhoods suck. I plow so that every one is clean before 7 AM so they can get out to go to work. Then the plows come by about mid day and fill the mouth of the driveway......aggravating to say the least. However in their defense, they probably don;t want to be on the streets in the day because of all the morons that are driving and can;t slow down. I intentionally sit at a green light after it changes to make sure the idiots stop, which most slide through. The you have the people that can't drive on snow to save their ass. Why do people insist on driving when they know it is bad out? AND WHY, WHY WHY do ass%^&(%'s insist on jogging in the early morning hours on the side of the road during and after a snowfall? Are they that cheap not to get a gym membership? Their fitness oriented mindset is going to get them killed by someone sliding into them or not being seen until it is too late. Probably what will happen is two cars will collide as one lost control trying to avoid the moron jogging and the moron will trot off. Is it too obvious I hate joggers on the road suring a snowstorm when I am trying to do business?

[Swimmy]

froggy said:

Here is a tidbit to absorb and consider next snowstorm. If it is a weekday and schools are closed, the DPW is in no hurry to clean up the city. Also, if it is a weekend, likewise with school closings. Next time, on a weekday, when we are getting snow and schools are open, see if this holds true. Traditionally, that's the way it always appeared.

I've noticed that here in New Hartford. When the school is closed, it's every man for himself, even on the main roads. When school is open, the main roads are fairly well kept, and so are the residences in the village. But some of the less accessible neighborhoods -- or the neighborhoods without any big whig politicos living in it -- always seem to be neglected until 10 p.m. at night after all the snow fall and travel is done for the night.

Wcup101,
Don't forget about the idiots who don't know what a sidewalk is, even when the sidewalks are clear of snow.

[Ralph]

Mmmmmm........... Lately people have even started walking in the road on Genesee Street.

I was aghast when I was driving up Oneida Street the other day above the Parkway and almost hit some fool walking out in the road.
And the sidewalks were all clear!!!

[kim]

I saw a picture on the OD of 2 young girls walking the wrong way on the road during that snowstorm, with their coats OPEN, and no hats or gloves or boots. What was that? Is that what's 'cool'?

[froggy]

The sidewalk thing has been going on for years, and it seems to be getting worse when they're now walking on Genesee St. Its redicuous that more isn't done to stop that.

One thing I can honestly say living over here in Herkimer is the snow removal is A-1, top notch. They plow and plow and plow, regardless if its the weekend or a school closing. They even come around with this riding sidewalk plow thingy and clear the sidewalks. I still try to shovel mine anyway, but they do the sidewalks too.

[dgriffin]

kim said:

I saw a picture on the OD of 2 young girls walking the wrong way on the road during that snowstorm, with their coats OPEN, and no hats or gloves or boots. What was that? Is that what's 'cool'?

Kim, you don't remember when you were 13? I remember leaving the house on Cornhill one evening in a blinding snowstorm at age 15 in February and walking to North Utica to see a girl while I wore only a light jacket and those 1950's Italian shoes that were barely more than moccasins. Was it love or was it youth?

[kim]

dgriffin said:

kim said:

I saw a picture on the OD of 2 young girls walking the wrong way on the road during that snowstorm, with their coats OPEN, and no hats or gloves or boots. What was that? Is that what's 'cool'?

Kim, you don't remember when you were 13? I remember leaving the house on Cornhill one evening in a blinding snowstorm at age 15 in February and walking to North Utica to see a girl while I wore only a light jacket and those 1950's Italian shoes that were barely more than moccasins. Was it love or was it youth?

Yeah, I guess I did that, too, but it's awfully stupid! I do think I wore mittens, though. Never a hat and rarely boots.

[bobbbiez]

Kim, I remember in my teens leaving my house in all kinds of terrible weather and walking around the corner to my girlfriend's house and stripping off all the outer winter clothing that my very strict Mom made me wear. Her Mom was young and much cooler then mine .

And yes we "WALKED" to school every single day no matter what the weather was and we walked on the sidewalks, or, if our parents just happen to catch us walking in the road would jack our dupas royally from there all the way to school . My sisters, friends and I walked from York Street & the corner of Court Street to U.F.A. with no problem at all. No busing for us. The only busses were for the kids in North Utica which was a greater distance to the high school.

Think the kids today or a little pampered???

PS: Take note how I said "outer" winter clothing. Didn't want to give the guys here an opening for a good come back. ;D