E-mail from a Reader:
It’s that lovely time of the year in Chicago when, predictably, it snows. While there is no law requiring property owners to clear the snow from the walkways in front of their homes and buildings, most people consider it the good citizen/appropriate/courteous thing to do. It makes the winter a little less unpleasant, makes it easier for ladies with babies to get to and fro, helps keep older folks from struggling, and gets the kids to school with dry socks and less spills.
Starting tomorrow, I think I should do one of two things: take pictures of snow removal scofflaw properties and post them to the blogs with full name, address, and phone number so everyone can call the owner and chastise them (or put coal in on their doorstep). Or, my dog could go doo doo on their parkway and I might run out of poop bags and not be able to pick up poo. Won’t that be pleasant in the spring!
Shovel your walkways, people – and that includes Ruger’s mom and dad! My dog is a VERY big dog, and you know what that means.
Signed –
Frustrated Hoofer
15 comments:
wow, i can't wait until i ruin my shoes in hoofer's "doo-doo" because my landlord hasn't done something he's not required to do.
Come on, people. You can't regulate manners, and you can't force people to make your life more convenient, especially by resorting to something so immature as dog crap.
Hoofer: If you're willing to put this much time and effort (and "poop"!) into this, why not shovel the sidewalks yourself? Otherwise, you're just a complainer.
What if the person is old or has heart issues?
I remember a time in during the winter I scolded a cab driver for not helping me with my behemoth bag to put in his trunk. He told me that he had heart surgery recently. I felt like a schmo. So, I conjured up all my 'he woman' strength and did it myself. I pack lighter now.
Chicago Municipal Code
10-8-180 Snow and ice removal.
Every owner, lessee, tenant, occupant or other person having charge of any building or lot of ground in the city abutting upon any public way or public place shall remove the snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of such building or lot of ground.
If the sidewalk is of greater width than five feet, it shall not be necessary for such person to remove snow and ice from the same for a space wider than five feet.
In case the snow and ice on the sidewalk shall be frozen so hard that it cannot be removed without injury to the pavement, the person having charge of any building or lot of ground as aforesaid shall, within the time specified, cause the sidewalk abutting on the said premises to be strewn with ashes, sand, sawdust, or some similar suitable material, and shall, as soon thereafter as the weather shall permit, thoroughly clean said sidewalk.
The snow which falls or accumulates during the day (excepting Sundays) before four p.m. shall be removed within three hours after the same has fallen or accumulated. The snow which falls or accumulates on Sunday or after four p.m. and during the night on other days shall be removed before ten a.m.
(Prior code § 36-19)
10-8-190 Liability for civil damages.
Any person who removes snow or ice from the public sidewalk or street, shall not, as a result of his acts or omissions in such removal, be liable for civil damages. This section does not apply to acts or omissions amounting to wilful or wanton misconduct in such snow or ice removal.
(Prior code § 36-20)
Shoveling snow is not an optional "Do I feel like it or not?" for property owners. It is the law. If you are not responsible enough for taking care of maintaining your property and associated tasks, then you should sell your property to someone who is willing. This isn't a matter of regulating manners or forcing other people to make other's lives more convenient. It is a safety issue (people fall, older or more fragile people are more vulnerable, people in wheel chairs have accessibility issues. etc.)
I fell on an unattended area a few years ago. I broke my ankle on both sides. I missed weeks of work, and had two surgeries. I had eight screws and a plate. Now I just have 2 large scars, and constant aching there. I'll never be able to wear heels either. I spend a lot of time making sure I look nice. The scars suck!
Dave is right. I wonder if the original emailer is going to take a huge dump in front of the empty lot on 1200 N Pratt now?
And while we are speaking of the Chicago Municipal Code, I present for your viewing pleasure:
7-12-420 Removal of excrement.
No person shall appear with a pet upon the
public ways or within public places or upon the
property of another, absent that person’s consent,
without some means for the removal of excrement;
nor shall any person fail to remove any
excrement deposited by such pet. This section
shall not apply to a blind person while walking
his or her guide dog.
Any person found to have been in violation of
this section shall be tied not less than $50.00 nor
more than $500.00 for each offense.
Apparently the e-mailer believes that the solution to someone breaking a law is to go ahead and break another.
Hoofer always picks up doggie doo doo even if it means diving in snow drifts. Hoofer also picks up trash. Too bad everyone can't follow hoofer's lead.
Hoofer's household also shovels snow on their walk, and three neighbors including 2 older neighbors (and one driveway) and one perfectly capable neighbor. So don't give Hoofer crap about not helping out. Hoofer and family help out oodles which entitles hoofer to a little bitching when others (who are perfectly able bodied) don't get their lazy bones off the couch or hire someone.
Hoofer also rescued 3 kittens from a dumpster last month, found homes for 2 and kept one.
Hoofer is damned near a saint though hoofer has been called other names.
Hoofer is tickled to know that snow removal is a law, however. Good info. to have on hand.
Thank you Moonglum for your posting. People accuse me of having pie in the sky ideas, but I am a firm believer if all the laws Chicago currently has on the books were enforced consistently we could all live in a safer, cleaner neighborhood. Ticket and fine those that litter, those that don't pick up after their dogs, those that continually park their cars illegally. If we could do that, they would soon learn that behavior would not be tolerated and they would move on or become better neighbors.
And while we're on the subject of shoveling snow...what is the general opinion of RP citizens about the venerable Chicago tradition of shoveling out a space for your car, then leaving old furniture in that space to "reserve" it for your car? It seems to be common in just about every nabe in the city and the politicians and police seem to take a "look the other way" attitude. Is this OK with Rogers Parkers as well?
There's a building up the street from mine where, no matter how much snow comes down, they never, ever shovel. It's like walking through a minefield when passing there. It's just common courtesy for people to get up and take care of their walks for pedestrians.
"What if the person is old or has heart issues?"
It's still his responsibility to see to it that the sidewalk is cleared. If he can't afford to spend a few bucks to hire some neighborhood rugrats to do it, hopefully his neighbors will be decent enough to take care of it. Regardless, it's still his responsibility as a property owner.
gayle said: "And while we're on the subject of shoveling snow...what is the general opinion of RP citizens about the venerable Chicago tradition of shoveling out a space for your car, then leaving old furniture in that space to "reserve" it for your car? "
I seem to recall something on the news a couple of years ago that tradition was declared illegal as well. Even if it isn't, it's jerky. People can't claim parking spaces in our (or other) congested area any other time of the year, why should winter be any different? First come, first park, period.
i'm surprised hoofer didn't know that snow shoveling was a law in the city... even if it wasn't, it really doesn't help to fight rude behaviour with even more rude behaviour.
as for putting furniture in parking spaces one so nicely shovels out, i think it's okay when there's more than 3 inches of snow on the ground. if not, then it's free furniture for everyone else!
I feel a need to weigh in on this issue. It has been more than a week since our last snow fall.
Yesterday, I fell on an icy piece of sidewalk that the owner failed to shovel. I broke my fall with my left hand and jammed the knuckle of my left index finger as a result. My finger is so bruised and swollen, I can barely bend it. I would love to take a day or two off to mend, but I don't get paid for time off of work.
I am tired of being injured because property owners don't observe the law!!!! I work with sprained ankles, broken fingers, 102 degree temperatures...please don't add to my list.
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