Editorial: Crews did excellent job clearing snow

By: Mae Rhine
   There can’t be too many people out there who didn’t notice what an excellent job state, county and local road crews did clearing the roads Monday afternoon through Tuesday last week after a winter storm dumped nearly 2 feet of snow on the area.
   Road crews worked long hours to clear away the massive piles of snow. Driving to work Tuesday was a pleasure for most people — on side roads as well as the main drags. It was truly amazing.
   Many people, particularly in Lambertville and West Amwell, called mayors and other officials to express their gratitude.
   But there’s always a few complainers. Lambertville got a few calls from belligerent residents complaining garbage wasn’t picked up on time. Cheer up folks, it’s back on schedule now — until the next snowstorm, which could be this week.
   And then there are the people who make the road crew’s job harder by shoveling snow from their driveways onto the main roads. There are ordinances against this, although Lambertville admits it hasn’t enforced its law in quite a few years. Residents can be fined up to $1,000 for moving snow out onto the road. And they should be.
   By Wednesday morning, it was easy to pick out those who shoveled snow onto the road, messing up the fine job the road crews did. Shame on them. Pile it in the yard, not in the middle of the road where an unsuspecting driver could slam a vehicle into the pile, particularly if it’s hidden around a curve.
   Tempers can flare during snowstorms, mostly because of the stress and frustration of digging out and worrying about getting to work or the store or the doctor; wherever someone needs to be.
   Everyone should be a little more considerate. We’re only human.
   Road crews had to clear the roads before they could even think about picking up garbage.
   And it’s downright frustrating to do all that work only to have some fool shovel it back onto the road. Towns that have ordinances against it should enforce them.