snow – mackaycartoons

Saturday March 11, 2023

March 11, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday March 11, 2023

Ask not what your city can do for you…

February 15, 2020

As we sit here surrounded by mounds of snow waiting for the next dump, it’s time to address the infuriating issue of unshovelled sidewalks. Every pedestrian who traverses our city, be it for transportation, exercise, or leisure, knows that the state of our sidewalks in winter is a complete disaster, especially in residential areas. While most property owners diligently shovel their portion of the walkway, there are always a few self-righteous, able-bodied laggards who refuse to do their civic duty.

It’s mind-boggling that some folks have the audacity to claim they don’t use the sidewalks, so why bother clearing them? What kind of backwards thinking is that? Everyone who owns property or works on behalf of someone who does has a collective responsibility to optimize public safety, including keeping sidewalks safe and accessible for everyone. We have an aging population, we’re supposed to be walking more and relying on cars less, and walking is essential for our mental and physical well-being. Yet, these lazy snow shovelling scofflaws obstruct us from taking full advantage of the benefits of walking.

March 11, 2008

Sure, we can rely on local government to enforce the law and issue bills to those who refuse to shovel their sidewalks. However, it’s not that simple. Cities have started ticketing these snow-shovelling delinquents, but the process is slow and ineffective, and the repeat offenders continue to pose a hazard to pedestrians. It’s high time we streamline the complaint process, implement stricter penalties, and make sure these lazybones realize that their actions have consequences.

Furthermore, let’s not forget that lack of physical ability or being away are not legitimate excuses for failing to shovel one’s portion of the sidewalk. There are always ways to get it done, even if it means hiring someone to do it or asking a neighbour for help. It’s time for these able-bodied laggards to stop making excuses and start taking responsibility for their property.

In conclusion, let’s make it clear that ensuring safe and accessible sidewalks is not just a seasonal complaint, it’s a fundamental aspect of public safety, accessibility, and quality of life for all members of the community. We need to hold these lazy, righteous able-bodied laggards accountable and remind them that their inaction has real consequences for the rest of us. So grab a shovel, roll up your sleeves, and let’s clear those sidewalks! (AI)

March 9, 2023 cartoon

Letter to the Editor, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 16, 2023

MacKay on the money

We loved Graeme MacKay’s Saturday cartoon depicting the home with lots of proactive political lawn signs but a sidewalk that is piled with snow, blocking the passage of an elderly pedestrian. It’s easy to have high standards on social justice if one doesn’t have to do anything real like shovelling your sidewalk!

Gretchen Harris, Hamilton

Saturday February 15, 2020

February 22, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday February 15, 2020

Sidewalk snow clearing debate demands action

Hamilton’s sidewalk snow removal controversy isn’t going away any time soon. In part, that’s because of an aging population who understand at a visceral level that mobility isn’t something to take for granted.

March 11, 2008

Being able to move around freely outside your home isn’t a frill. Whether for people who have age-related mobility issues, need wheelchairs or have babies in strollers, it’s a critical part of living a healthy and independent life. And that lifestyle can make the difference between remaining independent or falling into a cycle of increasing infirmity, which ultimately leads to losing that precious independence.

And this isn’t a only “soft” issue about quality of life. It’s also a bottom line issue. People who lose the ability to live independently require intervention and sometimes supported housing. And we have a huge problem with long-term care capacity.

In short, there is value on many levels in support of investing in measures to help people remain independent. Year round, not just in spring, summer and fall.

But how should that manifest itself? This week city council directed staff to investigate the matter of sidewalk snow removal. We don’t know what they’ll come back with, but from our perspective there are three potential areas worth consideration.

One is the idea of the city taking on snow clearing on all public sidewalks — all 2,445 kilometres of them. The estimated cost of that could reach $5.36 million. It is clearly the most socially progressive option. But is it practical, and would it be effective? City staff say it would cost $15 per household based on the average property value assessment. The average Hamilton homeowner can afford $15 annually. But put that together with an estimated 3.5 per cent tax increase and user fees increasing across the board plus increased taxes driven by property value reassessment, and it’s clear many taxpayers would not support that option. They’d say it’s just another straw on the camel’s back. And many residents of neighbourhoods that don’t even have sidewalks would certainly balk.

What about a partial solution where main thoroughfare sidewalks and those in designated high traffic areas were cleared? More affordable for sure, but there remains the question of how quickly the city (or contractors) could get certain or all sidewalks cleared. If it’s not very quick either of these two scenarios could prove ineffective. In Burlington, sidewalks are cleared within 24 hours, but when there’s significant snow it can take up to 72 hours. In Toronto, main downtown sidewalks get cleared but not neighbourhood sidewalks.

Another partial solution is less complex. Hamilton should toughen up its existing bylaw that penalizes scofflaw homeowners who don’t clear their sidewalks. The current reporting system results in slow and inconsistent service. Beef it up. Ensure there are enough bylaw staff to respond in 24 hours. If snow and ice are not cleared, have contractors do the work and bill the homeowners, and build in a little markup which the city could use to fund other sidewalk snow clearing measures.

Most homeowners and tenants are responsible and do the right thing. We should not hesitate to come down hard on those who do not. They’re jeopardizing public safety and showing disrespect for their neighbours, most of whom look out over clear sidewalks.

Whatever else happens, the city should toughen up on those who refuse to do the right thing. It’s likely that the only people who would not support that are the ones who are part of the problem. (Hamilton Spectator Editorial)

Tuesday March 2, 2016

March 1, 2016 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday March 2, 2016

Winter storm Approaches

A winter storm is expected to hit Hamilton later this afternoon and drop up to 30 cm snow overnight.

Blowing snow, powered by wind gusts of up to 70 km/h/, will create treacherous driving conditions as visibility drops to zero at times.

The snow is expected to begin during the Tuesday evening commute and intensify later tonight.

Environment Canada suggests postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.

The forecast suggests the storm will have moved out of the area by midday Wednesday.

In anticipation of the worst storm of the winter so far, evening classes are cancelled at McMaster University, Mohawk College and the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board.

Tuesday March 11, 2008

McMaster University will close at 4:30 p.m. today. Mohawk will close at 4 p.m. today, with all evening classes at the Fennell, Stoney Creek and IAHS campuses cancelled.

College officials say a decision will be made by 5:30 a.m. tomorrow about whether Mohawk will remain closed or reopen Wednesday.

All Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board facilities will close at 6 p.m. tonight. All meetings, permits, continuing education courses, night school and ESL adult programs are cancelled.

As part of that, the HWDSB senior elementary basketball championship scheduled for Nora Frances Henderson Secondary School for Tuesday evening has been postponed. Further information regarding the rescheduling of the event will be available on its website as well as Twitter when available. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Friday May 1, 2015

April 30, 2015 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday May 1, 2015

Ontario’s winter roads ‘less safe’ since privatization: auditor

Ontario saved millions but put lives in jeopardy by contracting out highway snow clearing and other winter road maintenance with poor oversight, Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk says in a damning new report.

“In the past, highways were cleared much faster,” the auditor told reporters Wednesday, noting that “preliminary results show an increase in the number of deaths on Ontario highways in 2013 where snow, slush or ice was a factor.”

It’s taking twice as long to clear highways to bare pavement after storms than it did five years ago under a new system of “performance-based” contracts with specified service levels and no more on-the-road supervision by Ministry of Transportation staff.

Lysyk said she was stunned to find the Liberal government kept awarding the contracts despite warnings from Ministry of Transportation engineers that many low bidders didn’t have enough equipment to do the job properly.

In one startling case a year ago, an unnamed northern Ontario contractor refused to clear winter roads at one point and was fined for poor performance following an audit prompted by a pileup of 14 tractor trailers that forced an extensive highway closure.

Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca refused to apologize for the problems but said that “there’s no doubt there needs to be improvements. I will get this right.”

Del Duca said 105 pieces of snow removal, de-icing, salting and sanding equipment have been added in the past year and 20 inspectors added to keep better track of contractors, with whom he will meet in the coming weeks. (Source: Toronto Star)

Thursday, February 5, 2015

February 4, 2015 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday, February 5, 2015

City struggling to keep the streets clear of snow

Hamilton is pleading with storm-swamped homeowners to stop illegally shovelling snow back onto cleared streets and sidewalks — but some residents say city plows are to blame.

Iraq: January 4, 2003

The city fielded 70 snow-clearing complaints and counting in the 24 hours after Monday’s storm that left residents up to their knees. Many stemmed from snow pushed back onto previously cleared streets, either by commercial contractors or frustrated homeowners.

“It’s a big problem for us, especially where driveways are being cleared onto the roadway,” said winter control manager Bob Paul. He said local street clearing — and in some cases, re-clearing — will continue through Wednesday.

January 31, 2012

City bylaw officers are cracking down on snow dumping “problem areas” like the North End and west lower city, said enforcement manager Kim Coombs, noting residents risk a $105 fine for dumping snow back in the street.

But outraged residents on the east Mountain say the city’s own plows are to blame.

Sarah Nunes was part of a neighbourhood effort to quickly clear all sidewalks along East 35th Street after Monday’s storm. But later that night, snow banks on the street were shoved onto those painstakingly cleared walkways.

March 11, 2008

“We’re talking piles three times higher than our snowblowers and hard as a rock,” she said. “What are we supposed to do about that?”

Ward Councillor Tom Jackson said he visited several streets in his ward that suffered similar treatment, including East 31st, Virginia Court and Seventh Avenue.

“Some operator showed a reckless disregard,” said Jackson, who asked public works to investigate and send city equipment to clean up the mess. “It’s totally unfair, totally an insult to ask residents to deal with that.”

Paul said the city had complaints about a particular operator but added the plowing problem was “corrected” and represented the exception, rather than the rule. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)