Well, I’m breaking laws left and right it seems.  First I got a ticket for leaving my trash can out and now one for not shoveling.  Well, I did shovel but not in the alotted time given.  Anyhow, if you havn’t shoveled then you better get out there and start.  If your sidewalk is not clear in between the time it snowed 5 minutes ago and the time it will snow 5 minutes from now, I assure you, you will get a ticket.  By the way, I hate the snow.

Mouser - sorry to hear of your misfortune. It sounds like someone has it out for you! I thought you had 24 hours to remove the snow?

It is my understanding that you have 24hrs. to clear the sidewalk from the last precip.  I would checkk the weather stations (http://www.wunderground.com/) and document when the last prec. fell.  If I could prove it, I would fight it!

I am probably just going to pay it.  Honestly, I wasn’t keeping track of the hours between when it fell and when I shoveled.  Basically it was solid ice so I put salt on it, waited for it to melt a little and then scraped it off.  Anyhow, the ticket is 72 dollars.  25 for the fine, 37 for service charge, and 10 for “other”.  I’m not sure what “other’ means but I’ll try and find out.  The only aggravating part is that the plows come by, knock my mailbox down, dump snow back on the sidewalk, and I can’t give him a ticket.  Beyond that we still have people speeding down Main St. .... in the snow!  I guess the sidewalks and trashcans are still more dangerous ( that was sarcasm).

Well I got up at 7 this morning and shoveled.  I hope that is good and that it is the appropriate width.  Lord knows there’s probably somebody that goes around with a ruler and measures it. Also, I found out that the 10 dollar “other” fee is for JC which is the Judicial Computer.  I found that out from the secretary at the police office.  Honestly, I hate to bother them with such petty stuff but it seems everyone else does.  I understand that someone could slip and fall and that this is why they have such a law, but I did shovel it after the ice melted some and I did it as I watched cars fishtail around the corner and speed down Main St. 

The law is so people don’t get hurt Mouser, and I know you understand that.  Unfortunately, there are some in town with nothing better to do than just report violations.  It’s been my experience that you’re truly best off clearing the walk asap, and not waiting anywhere near the 24 hours, not always the easiest if you work/have kids,etc. I think people rarely fight them, and that is also understood, but I try and give them no leg to stand on with regard to my sidewalks.  I will also say that you’ll need to watch yourself now, it’s been my experience that once you are fined you’ll now always be watched like a hawk, this goes for trash can, sidewalks, or noxious weeds, so watch your back.  The plows are just doing their jobs even though I hate when they undo my work, I cleared my walks 3 times today and have a corner property with plenty of walks, it’s just become a way of life and part of living in small town America.  Ya know, maybe if they fined the 4-wheelers and snowmobiles for riding on the road they could ease up on the sidewalk fines!!!  Living a dream…

CD

what hppens if the snow isn’t removed from the sidewalks.  Do you keep gettng fined until it is??

I live on main street and there are alot of places between the post office and the library that are not cleared yet.