PF: Solve snow challenges

Open letter to Post Falls Mayor and Council:

Our recent series of snow, freezing rain and re-frozen slush and compacted snow created many unsafe situations in our good city. I read in the Press that it appears various departments are finger-pointing for the perceived less than satisfactory street clearing as needed, versus counting the number of times they were plowed.

As a local volunteer and citizen, I felt the main arteries, in particular, were not cleared frequently enough to maintain a safe and effective travel flow after compacted snow-made mounds and serious ruts to travel on.

Cinders create cracked windshields, whereas sand and rock salt work well to keep roads and streets drivable. Yes, rock salt is costly, but... So many car washes in the region implies a huge need to preserve cars from corrosive action from the de-icers. I’d rather wash my car than replace a windshield or have my paint chipped in many places.

Side street plowing? Forget it! Perhaps once early on, but certainly not too much if at all afterwards, as each day dumped more snow and created ice mounds to travel on, or try to walk on.

Our local post office lot was a total dangerous mess!

Many businesses didn’t bother to clear sidewalks or snow or ice, and let their customers fend for themselves. This due to not being required to promote safe passage for customers on their property. I find this lack of rules preposterous for the fastest growing city in Idaho.

I strongly suggest the winter weather programs of streets and sidewalks be reviewed ASAP and more effectively managed for public safety and travel.

Post Falls is a great place to live and play, but we must prepare for unusual weather and emergencies better.

Thank you for addressing this matter seriously, in the very near future winter isn’t over and who knows what is next with climate change?

LINDA REED

Post Falls