Breaking the ice: Residents fight the slick spots : La Crosse Tribune

ellie wrote on Jan 8, 2009 5:12 PM:

" Even if that property is a student rental, doesn't the landlord bear some responsibility? Isn't the landlord ultimately responsible for the condition and upkeep of their property? "

what_that_too wrote on Jan 8, 2009 9:17 AM:

" The SE corner of 16th and Cass is a student rental. It has been a problem forever. At least 20 yers ago I complained without results.

Finally, I went to the front door and rang the bell - had to try twice; nobody seemed to be in the first time. I did succeed in getting some co-operation, but it only lasted for the snow already on the walk.

I am sure the occupants change every semester; your mileage may vary. "

woodyearly wrote on Jan 8, 2009 4:28 AM:

" Third day in a row for that pic. Can we move on? "

shirleyp wrote on Jan 8, 2009 2:01 AM:

" There are plenty of kids and adults willing to get paid for your shoveling.I am sure that it would not take much to find somebody. Just last month a grown man knocked on my door looking for work to help make his rent payment. Times are changing.
Thanks Oz for the sand and salt info. I was not sure if that service was still offered. "

watcher wrote on Jan 7, 2009 4:09 PM:

" The folks at 16th and Cass are young and don't appear to be handicaped. Unfortunately the same can't be said for the ones who(would like to) use that sidewalk and/or bus stop. We have had a lot of snow. We also pay very high taxes so should expect a high level of services. I don't know who these phantom rich people are who don't pay taxes. i toured the Cass street castle last month and thought I heard $10,000+ for property taxes alone. "

elocs wrote on Jan 7, 2009 2:03 PM:

" The bottom line is that rich or poor, young or old, a resident has a legal and moral responsibility to clean their walks of ice and snow. We can read of lots of excuses, but how about doing the right thing? How many here would like to have their elderly parents fall on the ice on somebody's walk and then hear the resident's excuse that they are working too many hours so they just couldn't get around to it.

Yes, we live in a climate where it snows every year, so we should learn to work together and help one another as well as meeting our own personal responsibilities instead of making excuses. It is really not too much to ask or expect people to keep their walks clean of ice and snow. So let's just do what is right. "

let1102 wrote on Jan 7, 2009 12:15 PM:

" Perhaps one of the reasons some homeowners are having a hard time keeping up is they like me work 60+ hours a week so guys like Krusty can suck off the system and don't have to work! Somebody has to pay the taxes the rich and poor don't pay theirs. "

Darwin wrote on Jan 7, 2009 10:54 AM:

" Bliss, if city/county road crew people don't like their jobs, they can follow your advice and get another. I know plenty of unemployed folks who would love the jobs, no matter the weather, including the OT and benefits. "

bliss wrote on Jan 7, 2009 10:40 AM:

" You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know the shovelers/plowers from the city/county are OVERWHELMED with snow removal! Many have been working night and day and are worn out, sore and cranky~ give them and us a break with your constant whining about snow and ice! This has been record snowfall and ice has been exceptionally dangerous and anyone with a brain knows that. Snow/ice is not like leaves and many private citizens have done the best they can and SHORTLY IT WILL ALL MELT ANYWAY! If YOU don't shovel, DON'T COMPLAIN! ACCEPT THE FACT, you live where it snows and if you don't like it MOVE! "

elocs wrote on Jan 7, 2009 9:34 AM:

" Mack, someone could just have easily been killed or injured by a private resident not cleaning the walks. The amount of walks in this city that are not cleaned or get safe from ice is far, far too widespread to simply blame on those who are unable to do it. I have even seen businesses who do not properly clean their walks. 'Properly' should at least mean being clean or safe from ice with at least as much snow cleared to allow a wheelchair or scooter to pass.

It is too bad that there is not some volunteer organization that would assist those who are truly unable to keep their walks clean. Apparently the city is a paper tiger with their ordinance to keep walks clean. At least businesses (as well as the city itself) should strictly be accountable. "

Mack wrote on Jan 7, 2009 9:16 AM:

" elocs: It was the county itself that did not clear their sidewalks with the New Year's Eve death. It's a challenge to get around but also a challenge for many homeowners. Not everybody is as mentally and physically fit as Krusty3. "

elocs wrote on Jan 7, 2009 8:55 AM:

" We should have learned last weekend the deadly results of not taking care of ice and snow where people. Evidently there are people who rightly believe they can neglect to clear the ice and snow from the public walkways on their property with impugnity. How about getting their names published in the paper just as is done with deadbeats who refuse to pay child support?

I walked yesterday to the northside library and my heart was in my throat because the sidewalks were consistently only semi-clear with ice spots everywhere. The best stretch was along Franklin school which had lots of sand on it.

It is criminal that so many of our residents are unable or safely able to get around because there are those who are negligent about cleaning off their walks. "

oz wrote on Jan 7, 2009 8:47 AM:

" @shirleyp: I went to the fire station at 5th and Market on Monday, and they had a nice big fresh pile of sand/salt there. "

ellie wrote on Jan 7, 2009 8:12 AM:

" I walk past 16th and Cass regularly and have also called the city about this propery that is never shoveled. Now it is frozen and rutted and nearly impassable. "

jjp wrote on Jan 7, 2009 6:42 AM:

" I also have called the city about 2 houses in my neighborhood. No results at all. These same people never clear their walks. I recently had back surgery and the only physical activity I'm allowed is walking. Pretty hard to do with sidewalks in that shape. Sure don't need any falling down. Ironic as it is, my walk is always cleared despite my current condition. I also have a disabled man in my area that walks by every morning for years, haven't seen him in a week or so. "

watcher wrote on Jan 7, 2009 6:06 AM:

" First the walk must be shoveled. There are several in my nieghborhood that haven't been shoveled since mid december. The SE corner of 16th and Cass, which even has a bus stop, has not been shoveled in 2 years and yes we have called the city many times. They are probably afraid if they made this guy shovel they would have to do something about the ice around Wiegent Park. "

shirleyp wrote on Jan 7, 2009 3:25 AM:

" Can LaCrosse homeowner's still get sand and salt from the local Fire station? I know I have to get the ice off my driveway, but hard to do with just the Morton's salt. No salt pellets anywhere :( "

Krusty3 wrote on Jan 7, 2009 3:14 AM:

" Anyone who still has ice on their sidewalks should be dragged from their home and beaten. Nothing worse than trying to walk down a sidewalk that someone is to lazy to shovel and spread salt. Suck it up and do it, it's part of being a homeowner "

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