Unshoveled sidewalks have caused headaches for those looking to move around the city on foot or two wheels. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Water Cooler: Sidewalk snow removal, comments regarding Hib vaccine program

Dec 10, 2022 | 9:31 AM

NANAIMO — The Water Cooler is NanaimoNewsNOW’s letters to the editor-style segment, featuring conversations about the news in Nanaimo and Oceanside.

This week’s feature deals with the responsiblities of property owners in Nanaimo to clear sidewalks in front of their homes or businesses, as well as comments on a story about Haemophilus influenza type B disease (Hib) and it’s impact on those experiencing homelessness.

Tristan S., Nanaimo: While I understand the benefits of clearing sidewalks, particularly for those with mobility issues, I strongly disagree with placing the onus on the residents to clear sidewalks. If the sidewalk is cracked, and someone trips, isn’t that the responsibility of the city to maintain the sidewalk, or are they saying I should repair the pavement as well?

If a streetlight goes out in front of a home, are residents responsible for buying new bulbs? And if I am responsible for the sidewalk in from of my home, can I paint it bright rainbow colours, or put political slogans on it? Is it mine or not? Expecting residents to clear up the ice and slush that the city contractors plow on to sidewalks is unreasonable, and other jurisdictions have lost court cases to residents who have argued that it is up to the city to maintain the sidewalks in all cases, since they are city property and not the resident’s.

I will clear my pathways and driveways on my property, since they are my responsibility. I will not risk being injured and unable to work while trying to clear city property because the city plows bury the sidewalks in ice and slush.

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Sean O., Nanaimo: Two years ago my pregnant sister fell on the sidewalk across the street covered in snow. She called the city and was told there was no bylaw officers that actually do complaints on snow removal. Luckily the kid was ok. The same jerk drug dealer across the street has plowed snow in front of the sidewalks.

The city doesn’t do crap, you would think fines would be a good way to subsidies the cost of snow removal for the city but no… Nanaimo is a joke im from port Coquitlam and ive had a $300 fine and you bet your ass I shoveled everytime after.

NanaimoNewsNOW: As frustrating, and at times inconsistent, as it is, the rules around clearing snow are primarily the same from community to community: clear sidewalks in front of your property.

For the most part, sidewalks are City property. They are built by the City (or on City-approved developments) and maintained for things like cracking or other damage, by the City. The issue of snow removal however is more about “everyone pitch in” rather than “not my job”.

Our story noted the City does not have the time or resources to clear every sidewalk in the area. With 560 kilometres of roads to tend to, it would be safe to add on at least another 560 kilometres of sidewalk.

Some roads have two, some have one, some have none.

Sidewalks require special equipment to clear them and can’t be done by using road plows, of which the City has a large number of and deploys aggressively.

Our story did highlight the City’s lack of desire to fine property owners, which did resonate with some asking “why not?” Blanket enforcement isn’t the route City staff necessarily want to go down, preferring a lighter approach through education and conversation over enforcement.

At the end of the day, clear your sidewalks. If everyone did, this issue would go away.

– – –

Our second topic for The Water Cooler does not come from a submitted letter, although we did receive one on this, but rather a situation which developed through Thursday, Dec. 8.

We published a story on Haemophilus influenza type B disease (Hib), a bacterial infection circulating in Nanaimo through people experiencing homelessness.

While the disease itself is not new, it hasn’t been as prevalent in recent years due to many factors. Health officials though have noted a spike, which them prompted some proactive vaccinate clinics to administer flu shots designed for this infection.

Our Facebook comments section for the story garnered nearly 700 responses before we shut it down. Unfortunately a large majority of comments were anti-vaccine rhetoric from people who clearly did not read, or understand, the story.

However we shut it down due to a small, but noticable, number of comments about using the vaccine or the infection as a way to kill off the homeless population.

Such comments are utterly inexcusable and were removed as soon as we saw them. Regrettably, some stayed up for a few hours before we were able to notice.

The offending commenters were later banned from participating in our discussions on Facebook.

We pride ourselves in taking an active role with our commenters online, correcting misinformation, addressing questions or providing more details. Our internal resources mean we can’t be “in the comments” every minute, but we regularly participate.

We also believe people have the right to discuss stories as freely as possible, which is why we did not (and have not) silenced talk about vaccine safety and efficacy.

However, borderline genocidal comments about members of our community will not be tolerated and anyone making such comments will not be afforded the opportunity to say such things on our platform.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

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