Plowing ordinance changes create law-breaking opportunities

I appreciate that the paper published an article about the change in the snow plowing ordinance, evidently in quick order.

I appreciate the fact that this winter was not normal, seeing we’ve had more snow than usual and the coldest temperatures in nearly 40 years. I also appreciate that the (Cheney) City Council and Police Department want the streets as clear as possible for the safety of vehicles on the road. However, I seriously wonder if the new ordinance won’t lead directly to greater non-compliance of the ordinance.

This year, part of my graduate work is related to problem solving paradigms. It seems to me that the problem that people are having is that they don’t have available off street parking after a snow storm. I am included in that.

I have off-street parking for four vehicles at my house, but we have five vehicles. I have neighbors on each side of me and across the street who do not have available off-street parking for their vehicles.

I drive down Second or Third streets, and other streets nearer the university, and there are scores of vehicles who have no off-street parking. I suspect that they, along with me, would be only too happy for a place to park off street, if possible.

The problem is not the time of day, the problem is actually a place to park off the street. Perhaps the city could provide designated neighborhood parking areas? Perhaps neighborhoods could generate parking areas? Perhaps alternately parking on one side of the street then the other? Perhaps the university can open up parking areas little used in winter and allow cars to park there?

I’m sure there is a good creative solution. But contrary to what the council evidently thinks, passing a law that makes more people break the law more often, is a bad law.

Steve Hetrick

Cheney