Raise the Hammer

whoa, portland ... again

Well of course. Why would you compare Hamilton to any comparable city? Is there a city that is more different than Hamilton? I doubt it.

actually, Portland is a great comparison. Sure, it's becoming less and less like Hamilton with each passing year of great leadership there and none here, but it's bones and history are very similar.

Main difference is that in Portland people who think like you aren't in charge. Hence the dividend.

Here we go again. Hamilton is or at least was a heavy industrial city and has suffered greatly as those jobs have declined or have been eliminated. Portland has always been the commercial an corporate centre for the state and beyond. Here that designation goes to Toronto and to a lesser extent Brampton and Mississauga. Hamilton is as much a suburb of Toronto as it is a city in its own right. Portland does not face these difficulties.

How many times have I explained this and yet they refuse to listen and grasp the simplest concepts. Wishing Hamilton was a city just like Portland does not make it so, no matter how hard you wish.

OK then, let's hear all of your great ideas for how to make Hamilton better!

Housing units downtown that are relevant and desirable. Large, multi bathroom, well wired for modern communications. Safe secure both for the units and the parking. Easy access to highways and GO. If we can lure people with money, a disposable income, downtown all the rest will fall into place. One way streets didn't drive people away and two way streets will not lure them back. People left because they didn't want to live in old small housing and they still don't. People live there because they cannot afford to live in nicer places.

People live there because they cannot afford to live in nicer places.

Someone should tell that to the person who just bought my "old small house" on a two way street in downtown Hamilton for $450,000.

Let me guess: raze the old buildings, one way streets through downtown, and more suburban sprawl because that's what people like LOL want. Paradise awaits!

Well lets see lets compar Hamilton to Pitsberg and Pitberg are getting like to Portland

Here we go again. A bunch of irrelevant stuff about how Hamilton is different from everywhere else and nothing that works anywhere else could work here because we're so different so we should keep doing the same things over and over again.

It's been two weeks since our snowstorm and there are blocks and blocks of sidewalk that haven't been cleared. I'm cringing at seeing mothers try to walk their young children inches from the roaring cars on Cannon (the roads were cleared within seconds of the snow stopping) to school and seeing them slip and fall and land so close to the live roadway. I've seen so many seniors walking down the middle of the street and short of encouraging this behaviour (because I don't want to lead someone into a dangerous situation) I would actually love to see hundreds of people walking down the middle of live lanes instead of risking their limbs and safety navigating the mountains of ice and snow on sidewalks. Hamilton refuses to act like a real city, and there is still a mindset at city hall that 'surely anyone without a car is a lazy, out-of-work slob'. And so we have urban neighbourhoods where 50% of the residents are risking injury simply trying to get around after a snowstorm. Perhaps it will take hundreds of pedestrians walking down Main Street or King Street to get city hall to pay attention? I don't know what the procedure is for getting sidewalks cleared, but if the red-tape parade involved means it takes longer than 2 weeks, the system is broken. I suspect that it's not really a broken enforcement system, but rather a lack of enforcement because after all, if you don't own a car......

By-laws are typically enforced by complaint, as fans of built heritage are well aware.

Q: What does the By-law say?

A: The City Of Hamilton’s By-law requires that homeowners, tenants and businesses clear snow and ice from walkways, stairs, entrances and all City sidewalks adjacent to their property within 24 hours of a snowfall. The By-law also requires that residents and businesses remove the snow and ice that builds up on roofs or eaves that overhang sidewalks for the safety of persons passing.

Q: Why does the City have By-laws regarding snow and ice removal?

A: It is important that pedestrians have a safe place to walk and there is enough room to allow for wheelchairs, power chairs and strollers. Remember if you have a neighbour who is unable to clear their snow and ice – lend them a hand.

Q: Where can I put snow and ice?

A: It is more important to note where you cannot place snow and ice. Snow and ice cannot be placed near a fire hydrant, where it would block access, beside a traveled portion of road, boulevard or anywhere that would block a drain or sewer. When ice is difficult to remove applying gravel, salt, clay kitty litter or sand can help.

Q: What happens if I don’t remove snow and ice?

A: Failure to remove snow and ice may result in the following actions being taken by the City:
•A "Notice to Comply" issued (A Notice to Comply is a document provided to the property owner/occupant that gives direction on what actions need to be taken in order to comply with the By-law).
•Charges being laid under the Provincial Offences Act, which provide for a maximum fine(s) of $5000.00, in addition to other court proceedings necessary to obtain compliance.
•The City performing the required work at the property owners expense, with all costs being added to the property taxes.
•"Fee for Inspection" charge added to the property taxes.

Repeat offences will be treated more harshly. Usually with the first complaint of the season, officers will educate the property owner about the By-law and issue an Notice to Comply, if appropriate. If compliance is not met immediately, the officer will take the appropriate action, which could mean any or a combination of the above charges and fees.


Q: What if I’m not physically able to clear my snow and ice?

A: If you have neighbours or family who are able to shovel ask if they can give you a hand. The City of Hamilton also offers Community Assistance Programs such as Helping Hands and Snow Angels aimed at helping seniors and disabled persons with snow and ice removal. Helping Hands provides a variety of home support services that includes snow shoveling for senior citizens and disabled citizens on a limited income. To contact Helping Hands, please call 905-546-3057. To contact Snow Angels, please call 905-523-1910 or visit them online at www.snowangels.ca. Please note that these programs are not responsible for removal of snow and ice within 24 hours of a snowfall; it is the property owners/occupant's responsibility to ensure snow and ice are removed.

Q: Who do I contact if I want to make a complaint about snow and ice that has not been removed after 24 hours of a snowfall?

A: If you would like to register a complaint about the Snow and Ice Removal By-law, please contact the Municipal Law Enforcement Section at 905-546-2782 (Option #1), Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm or 905-546-CITY(2489) after business hours.

http://www.hamilton.ca/Help/City+of+Hamilton+FAQs/SnowRemovalBylawFAQs/


Should you consider legal recourse:

http://www.bcbarristers.com/en-US/post/Slip-and-Fall-Injury-on-Ice-and-Snow-3e-Ontario-Summary-Judgment-Motion-Denied.aspx

I notice their page says nothing about what the protocol is for sidewalks in front of city-owned properties

If only withering sarcasm could melt snow and ice!

Also, if increased pedestrian traffic means reduced vehical traffic, our roads and bridges are going to last longer, which reduces cost to maintain them.