Since this is such a popular topic...
Unshoveled downtown sidewalks spur dust-up

Before our village trustees start pointing fingers at people. They should be reminded, that the village is one the biggest offenders. In the Lincoln school area. The sidewalk that wraps around the bog is rarely shoveled and when it is, its usually several days after the snow. It is also never salted. After our last major storm it was a week before the village sent someone to plow the walk. By that time it had hardened. So it melted and froze turning the sidewalk in some parts into a sheet of ice.

This is a sidewalk that kids walk to school on. That people walk to the Y, or take their dogs for walks on.

I've seen people slip and fall on it. Personally I hope the next person who falls sues the damn village.

So, before the village starts telling everyone else what to do maybe they should look at themselves first.

This little blurb sums it all up!

""Caracci warned that if the village decided to take over central business district snow shoveling duties, they could create a sense of unfairness among property owners. He said the village also potentially could be liable for injuries that occur on village-shoveled sidewalks."

As I've said many times before "No good deed goes unpunished".

Shoveling = Liability

I have a better idea. Don't like snow? Don't live where it (yup you guessed it) snows.

Or, don't like struggling through unshoveled walks to get to retailers, don't shop there! Plenty of other retailers manage to shovel, oddly enough.

Shoveling all 25,000 square feet of sidewalk could cost between $25,000 and $30,000, officials said.

Then why won't the Village do it citing Liability.

Who is liable then if someone falls?

If we paid the same amount to an outside company using the same pay schedule, benefits, and pension our city workers receive, then the place would be spotless, they'd probably scrape off all of the gum and gunk instead of waiting for a group of BB posters to do it for them. (I actually don't believe the walks have been cleaned since the BBers did it.)

If the city would agree to indemnify the shoveler(s) then I'm sure there would be a greater amount of participation.

Attorneys please weigh in, but private citizens seem to be covered by good sam legislation while municipalities are not.

GEM, do you like Glen Ellyn? Do you know if the Geisches do? Not implying anything, just wondering if you like the people/consumers/fellow businesspersons here?

huh..huh..huh..huh...you said teat...huh..huh..huh..huh..

Not equitable for private citizens and businesses to assume the liability involved with clearing snow from public (Village owned) property.

quote:

Originally posted by jombl:
their century old responsibility to clean and tidy their business area.

About 10 or so years ago, the village had someone with a leaf blower walk the sidewalks in the CBD clearing all the butts,leaves, wrappers ect. In addition I believe the commercial buildings are taxed at a higher rate/sq foot than residential properties.



Unfortunately, there is no teat sucking.

quote:

Originally posted by Graham:
Shoveling all 25,000 square feet of sidewalk could cost between $25,000 and $30,000, officials said.

Is that for the whole season? or per snowfall? If per season, it is cheaper than our xmas tree light stringing...

quote:

Originally posted by Well Meaning:
Attorneys please weigh in, but private citizens seem to be covered by good sam legislation while municipalities are not.

The municipalities are likely immune from liability under the Tort Immunity Act.

That said, the businesses should just spend 4 minutes and shovel their walks. They want to put merchandise on the sidewalks and take responsibility for said merchandise but they can't shovel the walks? Come on.

quote:

They want to put merchandise on the sidewalks and take responsibility for said merchandise but they can't shovel the walks? Come on.

Oh, you're gonna hear from GEM now.

Actually, most of the retailers did a fine job with snow removal this season. (Residents not so good.) Most of the hazardous areas were located in front of vacancies.

Why doesn't the Village allow large awnings like the one on Bells & Whistles anymore? They seem to keep the walkway clear, provide shelter from the elements and would solve the who should shovel and where do they put the shoveled snow dilemma.

In the meantime go buy a nice pair of boots over at Giesche's or rent a pair of skates from Paul.

GEM, the unemployment rate has fallen to 9.7 percent.

Don't awnings have to have the snow removed from them (so they don't tear, etc.) and the snow then moved as well. In any event, B&W is a good example for any of the merchants to follow - and maybe the merchants in general should make snow is removed for neighboring vacancies - you know, sort of a good neighbor/make the area look good and inviting type of deal?

Pretty proud of our downtown today! Sidewalks shoveled all around the town. Even walked from Hillside to Pennsylvania and barely got my feet wet! Go GE -

That was great! The walkway was so nice I ate at Bells & Whistles 3 times today!

They had this really cool story time and a craft for the kids. Gem#2 raved about it to Mrs. Gem at dinner tonight. Gem#1 was upset he had school and didn't go. Tracey was nice and put some of the craft stuff in a bag and sent it home with us.

Story time was fun, Now I just have to convince them to do a weekend thing so we could leave the kids there and go out of town!

It only took 4 city workers 25 minutes to shovel out shock's square. 4 workers and three trucks. Nice job guys!! Enjoy the break?! Cause you got the break when you got the job!

A good neighbor cleared the Montessori school's sidewalk along Park. The walk along Hillside was untouched as of this a.m.