Airports not accommodating passengers.
Jan 28, 2015, 2:18 pm
#46
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Jan 28, 2015, 2:57 pm
#47
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Jan 28, 2015, 8:55 pm
#48
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DC probably falls into the category of places that shut down easily with small snowfall totals (I remember days when everybody worked from home because of 3-4 inches), but the hysterics and proclamations that the storms were "historic" and of such an epic proportion that we'll talk about them a century from now were not there.
Jan 29, 2015, 8:46 am
#49
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Most US cities rely on tax money for snow removal. Given the usual weather in DC or Atlanta, the taxpayers should spend their money on other issues (homelessness maybe) rather than preparing for rare storms. Yes, northern cities are used to snow and spend millions a year preparing and responding to storms. But I am pretty happy to need to wait for my side street to be plowed once every few years and see my money spent on schools.
Jan 29, 2015, 6:58 pm
#50
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The incremental salary+profit of a gained day of work due to faster snow removal needs to be less than or equal to the cost of maintaining snow removal equipment and staff.
Jan 29, 2015, 7:21 pm
#51
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I have seen the council's snow removal/de-icing equipment here (snow is less common than in D.C. here) and I'm pretty sure it's equipment that normally is used for other tasks which they simply modify to work for these wintry purposes. I'm sure most people would agree that clean streets in general represent one of the more useful purposes of local government spending.
Jan 30, 2015, 9:16 am
#53
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The incremental salary+profit of a gained day of work due to faster snow removal needs to be less than or equal to the cost of maintaining snow removal equipment and staff.
That's a regressive calculation as it penalizes poorer workers.
Thankfully most governments recognize that public services shouldn't be provided only when they help high wage earners.
Jan 30, 2015, 9:31 am
#54
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Jan 30, 2015, 12:53 pm
#56
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Jan 30, 2015, 1:48 pm
#57
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And lets not forget that it is not only the inconvenience - we have had three fatalities in my area (I live in a small rural community) due to weather conditions.
Getting the info out there - even if they THINK it may impact an area - is paramount to trying to keep people as safe as possible.
Yes, if the event doesn't pan out the way it was reported, everyone can sit back and criticize - but I think it is important to understand that when these areas are looking at a massive amount of snow, ice, winds, etc it is important to let people know.
Getting the info out there - even if they THINK it may impact an area - is paramount to trying to keep people as safe as possible.
Yes, if the event doesn't pan out the way it was reported, everyone can sit back and criticize - but I think it is important to understand that when these areas are looking at a massive amount of snow, ice, winds, etc it is important to let people know.
Feb 1, 2015, 9:33 pm
#59
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Snow removal isn't just a convenience, it's also a public safety issue. Streets need to be cleared so that ambulances and firetrucks can get access if needed.
Feb 1, 2015, 11:14 pm
#60
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True. However, to be fair, they get snow so infrequently that it simply isn't cost-effective to purchase, store, maintain--and employ people to maintain and use--a fleet of snow plows, salt, etc.
However, if a municipality and/or airport in Chicago decided to do away with these things, the public outcry would be swift, loud, vicious, and deserved.
However, if a municipality and/or airport in Chicago decided to do away with these things, the public outcry would be swift, loud, vicious, and deserved.