As you read different media outlets about snowgates, you will detect some pessimism about there usage;
KSFY;
Some say they worked great and made for easier snow removal over the weekend. Others say they’re still dealing with a big ridge of snow.
KELO;
But some homeowners complained they weren’t very effective after yesterday’s snowfall and had to clear away some snow from their driveways.
After a friend of mine called Mark Cotter, the Director of Public Works today, he admitted that there is a ‘learning curve’ when it comes to the devices, and that some neighborhoods they missed some driveways. But he said he has received over 30 phone calls from people praising them and that they hardly had to remove any snow after they passed.
I figured this first snowfall there would be some shortfalls with them, but as they are used more, the drivers will get more proficient. It seems the biggest issue was that they don’t work, but they were not applied in some places.
So why is the media and public already whining they don’t work after only ONE real use in the entire city? Did you learn how to drive a car on your first spin around the neighborhood? Nope. And I don’t expect the snowplow operators to get down the devices on the first go around. Patience, Grasshopper, Patience.
Cotter plans to have a press conference today talking about them.
Snow gates prevent the ice blockade at the end of your driveway. There’s going to always be a small row you can drive across or clear yourself. They’re not going to clear your driveway for you. The media could report such if they ever leave their cocoon studio and look around or interview citizens.
Mark Cotter has come a long way. Think about it, he’s got to balance appeasing the mayor and citizens. Through some hard knocks, he’s grown into becoming a good public works director. I suspect he’s prevented budget from being diverted. We need repairs and infrastructure, not elite tennis clubs and a public baths luxury.
Can’t believe I said this. Here’s more; he’d be a good mayor because he’s conscious of infrastructure and his ego is a tenth the size of Caesar.
Like I said, I couldn’t have been more pleased. Yes, there was that little row, primarily on the one side, but the combo of driving on it and the sun took care of it. Given that the plows come through my neighborhood in the middle of the night, the gates are a godsend.
So when the media doesn’t give us the whole story you whine and when they do but not what you want to hear, you whine.
Grow up.
The problem is not so much that the media does not give the whole story. The problem is local media, before it does any story, panders to its advertising dollars and handlers. Here is just one classic example, and many more are obvious.
http://www.startribune.com/business/206116291.html
Would the argus, keloland, or any other of our media run anything like this? Answer. No way in hell. They are watchdogs at all. But lapdogs? You betcha.
Poly43 – do you think that the Star Tribune is some sort of crusader for putting out this story? It’s nothing more than their own lap dog story used to sway public opinion against Sanford and their bid to acquire Fairview. Look through the Star Tribune archives and check how many of these exposes they have run on local institutions. It’s easy to chuck rocks at glass houses in another state.
Poly makes a good point. Whats more, if the media fed us facts and public opinion, we’d watch and they’d be profitable because their ads reach more people.
Oliver, over the years there have been many stories about first premier bank card and their fee harvesting operation. I can fill this page with hundreds of links about what a predatory operation they are running. But does the Argus or any other media outlet around here ever report on it? No. Why? Advertising dollars. Fine, you wanna be an apologist for the likes of krabbenhoft, dykhouse, and beacom, go ahead, a great lapdog you make.
Poly43 – congratulations on keeping your perfect record of completely missing the point. Keep up the good work.
The irony is not lost on us. SouthDacola, complaining about negative press. Hahahahaha.
I kid.
Just wondering if anyone knows, my Mom lives in town and claims snowgates were not used in her neighborhood. Does the city get to pick and choose where to use them? Or how is that determined?
Right JR? Ha! I guess I just thought it was funny how the media was being negative Nancy’s about something that was approved by 75% of the vote. They are here to stay, and they need to get over it. Of course, there is still people who bitch and moan about Drake Springs being an outdoor pool.
As for missing your mom’s house, as I understand it, they did have some problems in some neighborhoods and they missed some homes. Mostly due to breakdowns, software issues and people parking their cars on the street.
I live in a twinhome and our driveway is double wide- no break between the two the first half of my driveway had as much snow as typical after this type of snowsotrm and my neighbor had as much at the back end. About half the driveway had the two inches (the middle half) that should be there.
I have to say they worked great in our neighborhood! Even in the cul-de-sac across the street from me.