Brace Yourself, More White Stuff in the Forecast

Wednesday, January 19, 2011 03:59 AM

Prince George, B.C.- City Crews continued to work all night to try and get caught up with the snow clean up in the City before the next snowfall hits the area and that next dump could come tonight.

Environment Canada was calling for another 10 centimetres of snow to hit the Prince George region tonight.

Mayor Dan Rogers says the problem in getting everything cleaned up quickly is that the City was hit with consecutive storms “It’s extremely challenging, we’ve had as much equipment out as we have available to us with our private partners, getting out there and trying to do the best job we can to make sure people can get around the community, that takes some time. Also it’s important after we get through this to reflect on ways we can improve it, but first, we’ve been trying to respond to it and we’re throwing everything we have available to respond to it.”

As of mid afternoon yesterday there were still wind rows in the downtown which needed to be picked up.

Mayor Rogers says there is no doubt about we are in the deep part of winter, “It is not unexpected, but we will continue to reflect on the ways that we’ve been responding through policy but nothing’s been changed, we’re making sure that everything that’s available will be thrown at it to do the best we can, but its really challenging when it’s ( snow falls) consecutive as it was in the last few days.”

The Mayor says for the most part, the people he has talked to are conscious that Prince George is a winter city “Most people I have talked to understand that we got smacked with two significant dumps of snows, and most are pretty patient, they try to find ways to work with their neighbours to help each other out.” He says it is particularly important for people check on their elderly neighbours “If there are ways you can help and pitch in that makes it better for everybody.”

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Posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 03:59 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: acrider54 on January 19 2011 5:31 AM

Well I had one day off of shoveling in the past five. Got my breath back and ready to go again.

Posted by: ditdat on January 19 2011 7:34 AM

mehh, it's just snow. Move if you can't handle it.

Posted by: gus on January 19 2011 8:01 AM

Let me see. The City Council and Administration cannot handle it, by my judgement.

I agree, they should move and we get some people in from cities where they can handle it ... ;-)

Posted by: gus on January 19 2011 8:10 AM

The policy that accepts the fact that it takes 4 days to get to all the streets in the city to plow them once is obviously flawed given that sequential snowfalls of 10+ cm are not exactly abnormal.

I have been here since 1973. The quality of snow removal has changed over time - sometiomes better, sometimes worse. I am not sure why there is not a progressive improvement. In the normal scheme of things people should be learning from previous experience of others before them. That does not seem to be the case.

For instance, I do not recall ever having as bumpy conditions at intersections, including major intersections, as we have had over the last couple of days.

Posted by: nu2PG on January 19 2011 8:17 AM

NOOOO.... I'm not ready to shovel again and I am -still- waiting to have my street plowed...I am so glad I bought a 4 wheel drive this year !!!

Posted by: Just Curious on January 19 2011 9:15 AM

They did my street last night and did a fantastic job opening up my driveway; they even dragged the remnants out leaving nothing at all to shovel. Much appreciated guys!

Posted by: Slim2229 on January 19 2011 10:24 AM

I can't recall experiencing those rough intersections before, too many people spinning tires?
My Dad quit shoveling snow at 92, thought he might fall and break something, smart.
There's lots of folks in this town who can't shovel, but for those who can it's great exercise, and its more fun shoveling snow off a seniors driveway, gives you that feel good sense.
Gus, it doesn't appear that we've learned anything about snow removal, maybe this is as good as it gets, other than putting plows on garbage trucks and city pick-ups.

Posted by: gamblor on January 19 2011 10:36 AM

Dumb move predicting a surplus to the snow removal budget in early January!

Posted by: doogood on January 19 2011 10:48 AM

More snow. Awesome. I hope we break snowfall records this year. I like my driveway looking like a path between two cliffs. My kids love sledding righ in their front yard too.

Posted by: interceptor on January 19 2011 11:41 AM

Gamblor - wasnt the surplus predicted for when the 2010 figures get finalized? This snow wont be in that budget

Posted by: weaksauce on January 19 2011 11:57 AM

4" of snow is hardly worth mentioning.

Posted by: commoner on January 19 2011 12:32 PM

"4" of snow is hardly worth mentioning."

It is worth mentioning when the city needs 4 days to clean it up.

Posted by: gamblor on January 19 2011 3:57 PM

Uh, they'll "get finalized" when the snow stops - that is in springtime 'round here. You fresh-off-the-boat, interceptor? It snows here from late Oct to April. You and City Hall don't seem to get that.

Posted by: gus on January 19 2011 7:58 PM

Gamblor ......

Cool off a bit and think this through.

Snow season = October to April ... more or less.

Budget year = January 1 to December 31 ... no more or less, but quite accurate to the minute.

The 2010 budget year covers the snow season of January to April of so of 2010 and from October or so to December 31, 2010.

So when they are talking about a possible surplus for the snow removal of the 2010 budget year, they are talking everything in 2010 before January 1, 2011. Those invoices would be coming in this month, so they are likely doing a bit of estimating before the invoices and timesheets for staff, etc. would get posted to their proper accounts.

I know, sort of like Summer starting near the end of June when it is really almost over ..... or winter starting near the end of December when we have already had many days of -20C or more and a half metre of snow.

Accountants and mother nature ..... what would we do without them .... :-)

Posted by: interceptor on January 20 2011 8:34 AM

The 2010 budget ended Dec 31st 2010. Right or wrong, THATS what the snow removal budget is based on. I was just saying that last years budget is over - thanks for the snide remarks though, sorry your life sucks so bad that you have to play internet tough guy.

Posted by: gamblor on January 20 2011 12:26 PM

A budget surplus that gets wiped out days later is no surplus. Unless you like to be pigeonholed by the city. This is exactly what companies do to "hide" poor results. But only the suckers buy it.