Dear Editor,
Just when I think that there is nothing more that can surprise me about our City of Richmond’s governance, another puzzling, head-scratching bylaw floats to the surface.
Spokesperson Ted Townsend’s statement to the media regarding shoveling of sidewalks — “single-family homes are exempt as the feeling is many individual homeowners, particularly seniors, may not have the physical or financial capability to clear sidewalks, so it would be difficult for them to comply” — astounds me. With all the media attention regarding safety problems created by the recent snowfall and freezing temperatures one would think that the City of Richmond bylaw department would have reviewed their existing bylaw. But no …Why be proactive when you can do nothing?
I have complete understanding and sympathy with those seniors who cannot clear their sidewalks, but it also creates an opportunity for neighbours to be neighbourly and help those who are in need. To imply that most Richmondites do not have the physical or financial capability to comply with the bylaw especially when demographic, good health and longevity statistics would indicate otherwise, is ridiculous. Most Richmondites can shovel their sidewalks and driveways to create a safe passage for the mailman, paper delivery staff, dog walkers, moms with baby buggies and the elderly who may have to make their way to the store, get their prescriptions filled or attend to their appointments. It is unfortunate that we have to have a bylaw for something that is the considerate thing to do… but we do.
It is time to review the bylaw and make some changes.
N. McDonald
Richmond
