Oh, winter. What a lovely time of holiday cheer, of loved ones and warm fireplaces, of picturesque snow-capped landscapes---and of $225.21 fines.
Wait just a minute, that last one isn't so pleasant. But it has crept into the lives of some unlucky Haligonians, me included. According to current HRM bylaws, I have 12 hours to remove the snow on the sidewalk in front of my home or I could be subject to a fine of $225 or more, plus any costs incurred by the city having someone else clear it for me.
Now, it's not as if I can't pick up a shovel, but isn't that what I pay my taxes for? I thought social services like snow removal from a public sidewalk would be included in duties performed by the fine city of Halifax. I don't want to worry when I'm out of town for the holidays that I might return to a hefty fine because it happened to snow while I was away. What of the people who may be physically unable to clear their sidewalk?
City of Halifax, I don't think it's too much for me to ask that you create a few more jobs and hire some people to clear your sidewalks. I know you won't be able to rake in what I'm certain is a pretty penny from all these fines collected from elderly, disabled, busy and vacationing people, but I don't think it's too much to ask.—Christina, Halifax
