‘Unacceptable’

Dear Editor:

One positive of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the increase in the number of people going outside for a walk, jog or some outside activity. This, of course, should demand more attention to outside conditions.

However, following the ice storm on Feb. 16, the attention to sidewalk and road conditions, especially in the smaller neighbourhoods, was minor to nonexistent.

While out for a walk on Feb. 18 the conditions were simply dangerous for anyone using the sidewalks.  Closer inspection revealed no evidence of ice melters or pieces here and there that more closely resembled an Easter egg hunt. These pieces were more likely leftover from Friday or Thursday. Public safety of our sidewalks is not a Monday to Friday job.

Interestingly, this past winter, we have witnessed sidewalk equipment ploughing 1cm of snow (or lawn) or dropping copious amounts of melter on mostly bare sidewalks.

If it is budget related, I am confident that, considering all township expenditures, our citizens would be most accepting of an over spending on public safety. With regards to these unacceptable conditions, it would be interesting to know how many fractures and severe sprains arrived at Groves this past weekend. I’m concerned for our safety.

Randy Graham,
Elora