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Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Officials say stuck cars may be towed
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By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITEr

Findlay snowplow crews helped dozens of drivers free stuck vehicles after last Friday's storm, but they don't plan to be as nice this time around.

Anticipating the arrival of another storm today, city officials on Monday said any vehicles stuck in snow that impede city plows or emergency vehicles could be towed at the owner's expense.

Drivers also could be cited for a minor misdemeanor, which can carry a maximum $150 fine.

Those penalties always have been possible during heavy snowfalls, officials said.

Safety Director Jim Barker said last weekend's Good Samaritan efforts by city snowplow crews got out of hand and prolonged the plowing process.

"I think we were very lenient" during the last storm, Barker said, and no weather-related citations were issued to drivers. But that may not be the case today if more people become stuck.

Barker acknowledged that helping a driver push or pull a vehicle out of a snow-covered street may be less time consuming than calling for a tow truck and alerting police to issue a ticket, but he said drivers should be aware of those consequences, particularly if Hancock County Sheriff Michael Heldman declares a Level 3 weather emergency.

A Level 3 declaration, which means roads are extremely hazardous, was in effect in Hancock County from early Saturday to late that afternoon.

But "people were impatient," Barker said about Friday's storm. "It started Friday prior to the end of the work week. People wanted to go places."

Others, he said, had nowhere to go but still drove around "sightseeing." Barker said snowplow crews observed people "gawking" at drifts and taking pictures from their vehicles.

"On numerous occasions over the weekend, the city crews had to assist people who were stuck in streets and intersections," Barker said. "That is not their primary job."

"It's a huge safety concern when someone gets stuck" on a city street, Barker said. "There's that liability issue for us" when helping private drivers dislodge vehicles. "What if you're rocking your car back and forth, someone is pushing from behind and you accidentally throw it in reverse?"

Jim Rhodes, Findlay Public Works supervisor, said his staff, which was reduced by layoffs last fall, worked in shifts for the last two storms to keep plows on the roads day and night and to clear them as quickly as possible.

Work continued Monday, with Rhodes and other supervisors driving, too.

Vehicles stuck in roads can be hazardous, Barker said. Blades on the largest dump trucks can reach up to 11 feet wide and five feet high.

The drivers of the large trucks have limited visibility, especially when snow is blowing and drifting. That's why Rhodes and his crew have been concentrating on clearing intersections at night, when backing up is necessary, because it is easier to spot vehicle headlights and tail lights.

City crews use some smaller vehicles, and even backhoes, to plow narrower snow-covered streets and side streets.

For plowing, Findlay is prioritized into sections, with streets around schools and hospitals, and major thoroughfares like Main Street done first. Bus routes also receive priority, said Barker.

"We are urging people to be patient" when it comes to plowing streets, Barker said.

But evidently patience was in short supply during last weekend's storm. City workers arriving at their offices Monday found more than 60 calls from people complaining about the condition of streets.

Some unusual complaints were received. One citizen said a plow had made too many passes. A woman complained that too much snow had been piled at the end of her street, blocking her view, clerks said.

City officials say they cannot enforce a no parking edict on any streets for snow, because there are no warning signs along streets. But the city is encouraging residents to try to park off-street when it snows so plows can go through more easily.

Firefighters are removing snow from around fire hydrants, and are asking residents to help. The fire department asks that a three-foot perimeter be cleared around hydrants.

Barker said the city will continue to follow suit with the county when Sheriff Heldman issues roadway advisories.

"Levels do not prohibit going to work if we feel we can make it," Barker noted, but drivers should know that if they don't make it, they could be subject to a ticket and a tow if they're impeding traffic.

"Use your head. Watch your weather reports. Read your local media," and prepare by doing shopping or visits before storms arrive, Barker said.

"The bottom line is, please be patient. We understand your concerns, and everyone will be doing their best to see that your streets are cleared of snow."

Brown: 419-427-8496,

Send an e-mail to Joy Brown


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14 Comments (2 pages)

Latest comments listed first.
tim wrote:
ron
“ Correct, he does not, but it got waived in his case because he's special. JB-you are obviously uninformed about the kind of guy Mr. Barker really is. That would be a sad day indeed........ ”
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 9:38:29 AM
JW wrote:
Response to Tim and Kyle and Safety
“ Thank you snow plows. I really want to express gratitude and let you know what a good job you have done so far. Looks like a lot of work out there and it is appreciated.

----

Tim and Kyle:
Overall, good job, but we have had problems. We have a Honda Accord which was driving home from the hospital around 530-6AM this morning (2/10). We live a few streets away from Main Street and were glad to see a snow plow (ODOT white truck) sitting on the edge of our street in the distance. We were somewhat alarmed when it was not moving by the time of our vehicle turning onto the last street before ours. This street had snow that was pretty high. Our vehicle was in the left hand lane in some tracks that were already there. We put on our blinker early, but the plow did not move! Our vehicle came to a complete stop. Shortly afterwards, the plow turned toward us and barely missed us (our lights were on). He, for whatever reason, kept his plow up on this road that needed plowed.
Unfortunately, our vehicle was stopped long enough to get stuck. The car wouldn't move because of this. We were able to get it out before anyone drove by, BUT our street was not plowed! There is only one entrance to our street. The plow must have turned in, turned around, and waited (with his blades up the entire time)!
---
I wouldn't complain, but that is a waste of some of the money that all of us pay in taxes (regardless of whether this was a state or city truck) and we had shoveled for literally hours on Saturday clearing our driveway and enough of our short street to drive through it before a snow plow "plowed" us in (and we do live on the end of our street). If the plow driver reads this, you probably knows exactly what I'm referring to. Please explain the situation so that I don't communicate anything incorrectly because the team is doing great as a whole. Thank you.

---

To the Safety Director:
Yes, if vision is blocked from snow and really does have the risk to cause an accident (not saying whether or not it really did in this case), surely you MUST understand why a citizen would confuse this with a safety issue. ”
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 8:36:43 AM
ron wrote:
ref
“ dont you have to live in the city
or should hes does not ????? ”
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 5:52:00 AM
Ed wrote:
Level 3
“ Folks, please use some common sense! If a level 3 is declared, you do NOT owe your employer anything but a phone call saying you are NOT coming in. Do not let them bully you into signing some kind of warning, etc. Remember, most of the factory supervisors are really not that smart in the first place, so why pay attention to them now?
Look out for yourself, your safety is the last thing on their minds. ”
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 6:24:34 PM
JB wrote:
Barker for Mayor
“ I don't know why everyone is griping. Personally I think Jim Barker is doing a wonderful job and I hope that he runs for Mayor. ”
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 5:28:21 PM
tim wrote:
HLB
“ Yes, I believe that's the sentiment. Only Barker would say something like that. He's the only person on the planet that could make a statement like Good Samaritan plow drivers getting "out of hand" and not think there's anything wrong with it. Well Jim, maybe you'll be the one that gets stuck and the plow driver can not only leave you sitting there, but call the PD so they can come and cite you. I'm sure they'd love to after what you've done to them. ”
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 4:56:50 PM
Holly wrote:
Snow Snow Snow!!!
“ Why should I be the one who gets a ticket when at my job I have to go in no matter the level? Sat when it was a level 3 I had to go to work I didnt want to but I had to. Maybe it should be a law to close EVERYTHING in town when its a level 3 so that nobody gets cited for being out on the roads! ”
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 3:52:55 PM
Mark wrote:
Snow, snow and more snow
“ We should all know by now, it's going to snow, but you know, people still want to go when we all know we better not go. ”
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 2:47:48 PM
tim wrote:
Kyle....It's another story
“ This was definately a City of Findlay plow. Just wondering.... ”
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 2:45:32 PM
Understanding wrote:
snow
“ I don't think the woman who complained that "too much snow had been piled at the end of her street, blocking her view" was in the wrong. Sometimes they do pile the snow too high and it is impossible to check for traffic. You have to inch out to pull onto the street. If you were to get into an accident you would be held responsible, anyone who has an obstructed view due to piled snow should complain, it is a hazard. I think the city did a decent job with the snow, they won't win an award but I was able to get around without much fuss. Main roads were clear, people need to stick to the main roads and stop cutting through neighborhoods (unless you live in that neighborhood) - As I write this I have seen 10 cars go up my street, I doubt any of them live on my road - they are just cutting through making a bigger mess of my road than it already was. ”
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 2:28:17 PM
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

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Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

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The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

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Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

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Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.