I am again submitting my thoughts regarding the removal of snow and ice from streets by the city and sidewalks by residents. Admittedly, it is a touchy subject for me and others.

To impose a penalty for failure to remove snow and ice from sidewalks is not always appropriate. There are contingencies to be considered.

Some residents are physically unable to clear the walks and can't afford to pay the going rate to have others clear them. For some, it is a life-threatening act, and for others it is simply an impossibility.

The city and county agencies do not offer volunteer service to resolve the problem, leaving the choice of either being penalized unfairly or risking health and life to make the attempt.

I also wonder if you realize that snow plows often push snow and ice right back on the manually shoveled and chipped sidewalks to the street. A simple diversion of the blade at entries to the home from the street (not to mention the mailbox) would make it possible for residents to shovel out to the street once rather than repeatedly every time the plow passes. Steve Wenger (formerly a plow driver, now deceased) always cooperated in that way. I had to go to the doctor yesterday, and had serious problems getting over the ice that could not even be chipped and was left by the plows.

It is illegal for anyone to obstruct access and egress from a garage, but when plows push snow against the doors, it obstructs the resident's ability to enter or exit.

Let's have a little reasonable consideration of the facts before imposing penalties!