Here we go again, the onslaught of stories saying snow gates don’t work. As I talked about last year, they do work, and it depends on the operator. If you talk to any snowplow operator with the city, they will admit some drivers know how to use them better then others (learning curve). Last year with snow fall amounts under 6″, the snowgates were not used properly in my neighborhood. This year with two snow falls well over 6″ they used them in my neighborhood and I had barely anything in my driveway. In fact, during the first event, there was virtually NOTHING in my driveway.
But even if just a little crud is left, people are still OK with their use;
Not everyone is upset by the snow gates’ performance. Deb Billion has been living in Sioux Falls for several years, and says this year is much better than past winters.
“I vote a resounding yes on continuing using the snow gates,” said Billion.
Deb is the wife of former lawmaker Dr. Jack Billion. But there were some commenters that could not resist to piss all over them;
Its a rip off. Save the tax money wasted on these worthelss things and shovel you dang driveway. Thanks teressa Stehle for wasting our taxes. If you want the snow removed form your drivaway, then you should pay for it.
First off, I think my tax dollars were improperly used on your public education, but I won’t go there. Snow gates are simply an extension of a service the city already provides. It’s not some gigantic expenditure.
Speaking of snow removal expenditures, watch the video below (H/T MM);
The South Dacola foot soldier who sent me that vid asked if there was a better way to do this. I wonder if the snow scooper machines could just take the snow from the curb instead of wasting all this time and energy pushing it to the middle of the street and screwing up traffic flow?
Just a recommendation, for those of us who live on corner lots, we would be most appreciative if the plows would drop the gates when they go past the sidewalk corners.
It is technically not our property, but apparently our responsibility and the plows help in this matter would definitely be appreciated.
My neighborhood has snow gates. I’ve noticed there’s no longer huge piles at the sides driveways. When someone’s backing onto the street, they see you and you they. Safer and no pedestrian incidents. At this point, the city must keep and improve upon them. They’re liable for injury and/or damage per their negligence if they don’t.
Snowgates do work when operators actually use them. Granted, some are still learning how to use them. After each snow events last winter and the last two events, I only see them use the gate about half of time in my cul-de-sac. I am fine with that but I speak for myself, not my neighbors. No idea what my neighbors think of the gates but I still am in favor for the snowgates because it benefits people most of time.
Hell, I never scoop out the end of my driveway because I have a 4×4, ending up it being packed down and hard like a speed bump. It prevents people from using my driveway to turn around when they realized they reached the deadend where I live.
It must be the drivers. After the first snow, there was next to nothing left after the plows went by my driveway.
After the second storm, I would guess there was about 75% less snow than I used to get without snow gates.
I’ll take that “failure” any day.
And as you said, with the snow falls under 6″, one pass with the shovel and I’m done.
Still never seen them work at my house. OH well…. Just more subsidizing the lazy with my taxes. I’ll work harder so you can work less.
Strange how snowgates seem to be working FINE for those that voted YES, NOT SO WELL for those that voted NO, LJL!!
There should be a vigilante citizen SWAT team with petitions and laughing gas for storming city hall. Git on the ground, git on the ground. Maybe drive baby strollers onto the grass in front of the mayor’s window. Then they’ll know we are gadflys that mean business.
considering the city is funded by sales and property tax, how does working harder fund snow gates? are you going to buy more stuff, or get a bigger house?
Next time it snows you can come dig in buttercup.
“Any time I get snows over 6 inches, I could say we’re not going to use snow gates any place in the city at all. I’m going to push everything in the driveways,” said Huber.
This seems like a pretty inconsiderate statement. The people voted for snow gates and want them used. Huber could say, snow gates are still new to us and we’re working on making full use of them, give us time, or we’re having some troubles using them on larger snow falls, but no, he seems to being saying I don’t care what the people want, we don’t have to use them, so just be thankful for what we give you. Weird.
Thanks to Theresa Stehly and SouthDacola for bringing this to a vote and letting the people be heard. I hope the city will get on board and try harder to give the people what they want.
I know a man who is a snow gate operator. He told me that He has been using them on the sidewalk corner areas and the driveways and they work beautifully. He also acknowledged that some of the operators are not skilled at using them yet. I know the company that manufactures snow gates came last year and did a training session. They are happy to come back again.
While visiting a local business this morning, we had a spirited discussion about the snow gate experience. The owner of the store said they did a fantastic job each time they have been used this year. Last year it was not good.( I met with Galen Huber and told him about the problem .) A fellow employee said they did not even attempt to use them in his block. He said he would give them one more chance before he called to complain.
This illustrates the need for a snow gate HOT LINE, and the implementation of an identification number on the plow . It will be easier to identify the operators who need some additional help, if the public has a better way to let Galen Huber and Mark Cotter know about the problems.
Thanks Scott, for working to keep the citizens connected to what is happening in our community.
Theresa Stehly
BTW, a city plow truck dumped a metric shite-tonne of salt about 100 feet east of the intersection of Phillippes and 37the streets, and it is now petrified into a Masse of Unfortunate Hardnesse, so if ynne of Yousse poore Sonofa bithches happen to carreen into yt and upon it by wayye of Driving yourre SUVVe’s, feele fre to calle the city’s Directour of Plowing to have it removde buy Shovelle and Harde Labourers.