Plow the public roads
I would think as happy as the city is to fine people for not shoveling sidewalks that the city would be on top of snow plowing, wouldn’t you? However, after more snow, we go another weekend of traffic on unplowed roads which makes more compacted snow into ice. So now we get another cold snap where salt and sand will not do anything to help with the slippery conditions.
We pay taxes so you can plow the public roads. The sidewalks are public. I say nobody shovel the sidewalks until the roads are plowed in front of your house.
Overhead signs are needed
I’m traveling by the old Penney’s on Highway 3 and 25, (Highway) 3 going north to Merrifield, and I’m coming from the south going north on 25 and There are no overhead signs that tell us which lane you should be in. Now I know it’s on the road but when the road is covered with snow you obviously can’t see that. So it would be nice for the DOT to read this and put some kind of signs overhead so people know which is the turn lane and which is the straight lane, etc.
Shake, shovel and shiver
We are left to shovel, shake and shiver as global warming fails to deliver.
Plowing county roads
Here’s an idea. Why don’t we, next season, contract out to some of the very good companies that we have in the area and get them to plow our county roads as soon as it is needed, not when the 9 to 5 schedule dictates. These are the worst roads I’ve ever seen in this county and if there isn’t a better way of doing it then just shut it down and let us drive on the snow.
Is there a correlation?
The day the Dispatch printed the article on PORT our local talk radio station interviewed Teen Challenge and this set me to wondering. Is there a correlation between Teen Challenge coming to town and PORT’s dwindling numbers?
Update TV Week
Why doesn’t the Brainerd Dispatch have their own TV Week or update the present TV Week. We would like to know what channel OWN is on. Have a good day.
Tired of Haiti
After reading this weekend’s edition of the Dispatch I must say I am sick of hearing about Haiti. It’s been over a year now. Get over it. If you need a feel-good cause there are a lot of them in this country and closer to home.
Twenty percent cut?
Once again on this holiday all government agencies, from local to federal, have proved they only need to work four days a week. Why don’t we, in this tough government economy, cut all departments 20 percent. You can schedule some Monday through Thursday and some Tuesday through Friday. But we prove, at least nine times a year, we don’t need a five-day work week for government employees. They can do it very well in four. I didn’t miss anything today.
Thoughtful hockey players
A very special thank you to each and every person, and their have been many, that have offered to help me walk on snow and ice. I didn’t know so many kind, respectful people existed. I walk with a cane and can’t stay home forever. I was trying to cross a local restaurant parking lot when a lady from North Dakota in a van full of hockey players, stopped, got out to help me to my car. What a wonderful example of respect for her children. Thanks again, you restored my faith in mankind.
Don’t be too serious
You’re born broke and you die broke. Don’t take the time in between too seriously.
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Comments (64)
Add commentIt's not about plowing in North Crow Wing
I have called the county and State highway departments several times to find out why the roads cannot be handled. I always get a nice person, willing to talk about the wonderful job that is being done, my expectations possibly being too high, and the idea that we have had such "unusual weather. The fact remains, as others have stated, they seem to be working mostly 9-5 and do not have the equipment and supplies (sand/gravel/salt) that is so necessary to take care of the permanent residents. In the area of Crosslake, Emily, Crosby, Outing, etc. it's about no sand, no gravel and no salt! As a former resident of Michigan's U.P. I can tell you without hesitation, that it is not about the amount of snow we've had. Yes, Brainerd streets are a real snow covered mess, but the bad accidents are happening on the county and state roads where ice ridges, lack of proper clearing, no salt, etc. is the cause! For those of us seniors too afraid to venture out, it's about depression and lonliness. Sad that the choice has to be stay safe and stay in or face the danger and try to live your life.
Gun fight with a knife
I watched in wonder last week as I saw city "plow truck" driving around sanding streets. The truck had no plow attached and was dusting our skating-rink like streets with a light coat of useless grit. If you have to drive the streets to drop sand, why not plow as well. The sand lasted all of one day as it got buried under the unplowed snow. It's like going to a gun fight with a knife. I can't recall the last time our streets were so unkempt.
The county roads are getting
The county roads are getting better. That's because the plows have removed a lot of the snow so the sun can work on the ice. The city should be doing the same. I drive pretty slow but I've still slide into and through intersections. Getting started is nearly impossible.
What are you driving, Fish?
What are you driving, Fish? Must not be 4x4.
PORT and Haiti
There is no correlation between Teen Challenge and PORT as Teen Challenge is actually a program for adults with chemical dependancy issues. PORT is for at risk kids. Its numbers are dwindling due to the poor management= no referrals.
As for Haiti, it is a great cause. You could help people in this country if you can find a program that is assisting people in need and not giving hand outs to those already living off the system. Feel good causes are benificial reguardless of where the need is.
flipping a two headed coin?
Heads- Pay increase for city employees.
Tails- Street lights and safe roads.
Dang...Heads wins again!
Not shoveling forces the kids
Not shoveling forces the kids that have to walk to school out onto the streets. Great idea!
the streets
The snow covered icy streets are worse than the snow covered side walks. Those kids will fall and crack their heads. Besides, if your kids are walking outside this time of the year without boots on, you are failing as a parent miserably. So a little snow on the sidewalk is not a bad thing compared to the icy roads in this city.
One more thing, have you tried to stop on any of these side roads in Brainerd? Obviously not.
Worst street
Has to be hands down the road going past McDonalds, and turning right towards Cash Wise, you will not stop unless you are going ultra slow and even then turning is virtually impossible. I watched as a full sized SUV couldnt even turn and you can just see him sliding almost hitting a car waiting to turn left. The main roads are suprisingly clear, but some of the side roads dont even look like they were plowed (Road that goes by Franklin Arts Center for example)
Do you want some cheese with that whine?
If you can't handle driving when the road aren't perfectly smooth asphalt stay in you house until summer. (Of course if it's raining or there are other people on the road or deer crossing the road or kids playing loud music or the city turning off the street lights or mailboxes and road signs being knocked down and not being replaced immediately or.... you should probably stay home too). Or move down south. At least down there when it gets icy they have the sense to stay home .
speaking of cheese
I would rather have my tax dollars back that are suppose to go to cleaning the streets so I can buy some cheese.
I can handle driving on these roads. Thats not the issue here. The issue is WE PAY TAXES TO HAVE THE STREET CLEARED AND THE CITY OF BRAINERD IS NOT DOING THEIR PART.
Now if we dont have money for clearing the streets, we most definitely do not have money for the $7 million college road fix.
Brainerd plowing
I am suprised the business people are not raising heck at
city hall,i wouldn't drive to ther places on these roads,when
will the plowing strike be over.
No salt
The city is holding off because they are afraid of running out of salt. We are only half-way through winter.
street cleaning
I once worked for a company on washington street. This company got a letter from the city to remove the plowed snow from washington street off the side walk or the city would do it and charge the company, Since the city cant afford to remove the snow properly off our street because of budget my question is do that let the businesses slide if removing the snow from the sidewalk is breaking their budget, I think we all know the answer.
Who cares about snow plowing?
The city Council has approved spending your tax dollars for a few things far less important than snow plowing, such as: approximately $22,000 for membership in the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities…a lobbying group.
$38,000 to pay the Chamber for a Main Street Coordinator.
Approximately $65,000 for a 1 percent employee pay raise…with the exception of 2 bargaining units, so far.
Approximately $70,000 for BLADC.
Approximately $140,000 for the HRA.
Approximately $20,000 annually for a special few employees that receive free family health insurance coverage (no premium) under the City’s prima donna policy.
The City employs 4 Building Officials, 6 secretary staff at the Police Dept, 4 Engineering staff plus 1 secretary.
I believe safety of the citizens takes a back seat on many occasions to what a majority of the City Council believes is most important to a handful of individuals employed with the City.
Don’t forget, it was only 8 months ago they began turning off street lights to save money too.
There is a S&PW meeting tonight with “Snow Plowing” on the agenda.
The meeting begins at 6:45 p.m.
You won’t have an opportunity to talk during the full council meeting, but you’d probably be able to express your concerns during the Committee meeting…instead of just posting here.
Jeff Czeczok
salt and city spending
If you know about salt, it is worthless to salt when it is going to be cold, the salt will melt into the ice, but just refreeze.
There is a great deal of sand in this area the last time I checked, and sand does heat nicely and makes traction a lot better.
As for the city spending money on stupid crapola. Maybe it is time for more people to go to the city council meetings. The problem there is, then there is a grudge and from what I have found, when there is a grudge, some reason you get signaled out in the form of fines, traffic stops, etc.
Maybe it is time to put together a little rally against our city government. We can do that, it is our constitutional right.
Vincent
Besides, there are round-abouts to be built.
What the bejeebers is a "Main Street Coordinator?" Can't call it a community organizer, I suppose, because that useless title was already taken.
once again Herc
For the second time, I did my part to try to vote these clowns out and my guess is you didnt do enough. Quit wasting your time and brain on putting me down and spend it on getting things done.
And by all means, quit telling us all something we already know. You act like I am the sole reason they are in office.
I now most definitely have issues with you so I know I wont be voting for you.
Rest easy folks!
I have been told by both City and County officials that they hope to have the icy road problems fixed in the next 6 months.
YOU ALL GOT WHAT YOU ASKED FOR...LESS GOVERNMENT=LESS SERVICES..
Sooooo when do we get LESS TAXES!!!
Less Taxes??
How?? As long as there are less people paying taxes and people still demanding an increasing level of government services how can taxes possibly go down??
not quite in reality are you mossmith
Here is a good one mossmith...
We were not the only area of the state to be hit by the storm that is causing all the issues and the 4 inches of solid ice on the roadways. We were not the only area in the state to be hit with the other storms, yet OUR CITY and COUNTY has the worst road conditions of anywhere in the state.
In fact, you go towards the south they have had several more feet of snow and way more rain, yet their roads are in good to excellent condition.
Why is it that we have the worst road conditions around?
A few little hints... it isnt because we live in driftless area of s.e. Minnesota and have to deal with large bluffs and hills, it isnt because Pawlenty cut anything or because we didnt pay enough taxes. It is because the city and the county dropped the ball on this BIGTIME. No proaction taken whatsoever. No pretreatment of the roadways, no plowing after hours or weekends. They finally plowed in front of my house yesterday after 5 days of traffic on 4+ inches of snow. They are pathetic.
Actually think about it and take state and federal politics out of this issue, because in all reality the only political issues here are local ones and the lack of actually governing.
Taxes/snow
. . . and it's snowing again. Happy happy joy joy
Libs dont get it
As long as we have those libs on the brainerd city council (a bunch of clowns I thing one of my buddies called them) we wont have anything useful done with our hard earned tax money.
rather than clear the streets, they are spending all the money on a so-called "round of bout" or also known as a "round o bout". what the heck. this aint europe.
next think you know, they will be putty bo-days in all of the county johns. this aint europe, our people came here to get away from europe and its sinful behavior and antigod big government goals and also to have gun ownership promised.
The minute they take away or ability to defend ourselves they will come marching for the final takeover. stay sharp my friends and be prepared to resist the lib/muslim obummer movement.
DNTMG
Plowing Streets
Why have city workers at all? Why not hire out all services to a private enterprise's? No overtime is needed and no benefits have to be paid to those workers out of our taxes.
Herewogoagin
Herewegoagin,
WHen i read what you had to say, I said to myself, "now, theres an idea!"
but better than hiring it out to the private sector, why not have the school kids who the libs exploit to pick our pocket come and shovel? if they want three hots and a cot, let them work for it. what better way to teach the rich kids up in pequot than to make them work that is called the "school of the real world"!
DNTMG
Do_Not_Take_My_Gun
I don't agree with child labor. I do however believe in getting what I pay for from city or other government offices. Cutting services to the taxpayer makes me want to cut the size of government. Get the job done or leave and let someone else do it!
PLOWING STREETS
I vote for a local highway builder located west 0n 210,i bet
they would have the roads plowed before the county/city
got off there 10:00 coffee break!!!!!!!
PLOWING STREETS
herewegoagain,you are so right. AMEN
west off
I wish Anderson Bros would plow the roads,they could work circles around the cty/city crews in the old trucks they bought
from the county or state!!!