Dear Editor:
Re: No Tickets for Icy Sidewalks, Jan. 6 news story.
I agree that fines don’t really solve the problem or make icy sidewalks safer. There are more effective ways to deal with this problem. Take a lesson from the City of Calgary, where I used to live. Citizens who fail to shovel snow/remove ice from their sidewalks can be issued with a warning notice to correct the situation within 24 hours.
If they fail to comply, they are charged a minimum flat rate of $150 plus an administrative fee for the corrective action city contractors perform. The actual cost depends on the amount of work needed to remedy the situation.
The property owner listed on title incurs this as a debt owed to the city. It does not matter if the property is empty, rented or under construction. The owner of the property is responsible. The municipality knows who that owner is. They pay the property taxes.
This method works. If the City of North Vancouver, where I now live, is serious about having people walk or bike and use public transit, rather than drive, they would take a more responsible approach to sidewalk safety.
CNV has been issuing infraction notices to businesses. They should equally be taking a second look at their approach to residential sidewalk clearing enforcement. If the current system is unenforceable, change it. It can be set up so that it pays for enforcement. People would learn to understand it fast enough.
Susan Christou
North Vancouver
What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below.
