Dear Editor,

I am writing in regard to The City of Wagner Snow Removal Ordinance. This ordinance states that sidewalks should have snow removed “within a reasonable time” once the snow has fallen for those along Highway 46/50 and within 24 hours elsewhere. With the amount of snow and ice still remaining on many sidewalks, I assume this ordinance is not being enforced. I understand that it is more inconvenient for those who live and have businesses along the highway. However, with the amount of foot traffic in this town, I believe it should be a priority for our city sidewalks to be usable, no matter the location.

I coach junior high boys’ basketball. Our season occurs during the months of January and February. We hold many practices at the armory. After practice, some of the boys walk home or to the Boys and Girls club. It is generally dark after practice and these boys really have no choice but to walk on the streets to get to their destination. That is obviously not a safe situation.

There have been several times this winter that I have had to move into another lane while driving down Highway 46 in Wagner due to pedestrians on the roads. I’m not blaming the people on the streets as they really have no place else to walk. I would hope that we wouldn’t have to have a serious injury or, God forbid a fatality, for this issue to be addressed. This is neither safe for the driver nor the pedestrian.

During the summer of 2018 I and many residents received a letter from the city stating we had trees on our property that needed to be trimmed or removed. If this request wasn’t complied with the city would take care of it for us and we would be billed. The snow removal policy is, in essence, the same thing, yet nothing seems to be happening. I’m not sure why a tree limb hanging 10 feet over the street is more of a problem than an unusable sidewalk.

We have all seen the “reminders” published in the Announcer of the snow removal ordinance. Many have not done so. This reminder is obviously not enough. Something should be done to ensure the safety of both the pedestrians and the drivers in this community during these snowy months.

Thank you,

Matt Slaba