Send in the plows

COEUR d'ALENE — Dave Hopkins wasn't happy Tuesday with the city's Street and Engineering Department.

Wednesday, he was.

"It's much better," he said.

Hopkins had called City Hall to ask that Anton Avenue, where he lives, be cleared of the snow, ice and slush that had not only made driving difficult since Sunday, but even reaching the driver's side door to get in his car.

He said he spoke to a street department staffer, and was told Anton Avenue was plowed Dec. 21 and there were no immediate plans to return.

That was a concern for Hopkins, who said many of his neighbors are seniors, disabled and can't get out if road conditions are bad.

"I got high-centered on it the other day," Hopkins said.

But Tuesday night, around 6, he "heard rumblings" and looked out the window and saw a city snowplow. It made four passes, leaving behind an improved street and a pleased Hopkins, who was happy the city responded to his call.

"The squeaky wheel gets the grease," he said, chuckling.

Justin Kimberling, Streets and Engineering Department assistant director, said they have received several recent calls from residents asking that specific streets be plowed.

When it can, the city complies.

"We do some street plowing when requested in certain areas," Kimberling said.

He said the city constantly assesses street conditions. The recent rains and temperatures rapidly rising from subzero to the mid-40s turned once ice-covered streets into something even harder to navigate.

Kimberling said it's been a question of whether to let the snow, slush and ice melt, as it has in the past few days, or if it's taking too long, to call in the plows.

Strong overnight winds helped expedite things, which was a relief.

"Sometimes plowing that little bit of slush is more problematic," Kimberling said.

Now that Anton Avenue is free of snow and slush, Hopkins is hoping for similar success when he asks his landlord to shovel the sidewalk.

If that doesn't work, he said, "Maybe I'll call City Hall again."