(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

Whether you love winter or hate it there seems to be one thing most people can agree about at this time of year, and that’s the need to complain about the ‘bad job’ snow clearing operators are doing.

Everywhere you turn people are complaining about the city doing a bad job, their neighbours not doing what they are supposed to or just simply the fact there is too much snow and Environment Canada meteorologists have no idea what they were talking about, there’s obviously no El Nino happening.

The city works to keep main roads passable during a snow event, and to have them cleared within four hours after the end of a snow event. It’s not always ideal, it’s not always on time, but there will always be inconveniences at this time of year, it’s winter, and there’s snow and ice. It’s part of living where we do.

Keep in mind clearing roads is different than removing the snow as well. We would need to pay a lot more every year if we wanted every hill and windrow removed. The city usually only does a couple removals in the core areas every year, and only when accumulations reach the point of being hazardous.

The bylaws are clear — you are responsible for clearing your sidewalk and walkways and for clearing the windrows left at the end of your driveway. And common sense should tell you to not park on the roads or crews won’t be able to clear properly. The city will also put temporary parking bans in place as necessary. Parking on the road is not a right, it is something the city allows in certain areas at certain times as a courtesy, so return the courtesy to both the city and your neighbours — allow them to properly clear snow by finding somewhere else to park during these times.

I can understand people being irritable — it’s cold, it’s wet, it’s usually grey out, but ultimately it’s just snow. And we live in Canada. We’re rumoured to all live in igloos year-round, so what’s a few weeks of snow on the roads? This week temperatures are already back up to seasonal normal and snow is beginning to melt, even at the highest elevations in the city.

Instead of complaining, why not pick up your shovel and do your part?

And if you do feel the need to complain, don’t post anything to social media or say anything to the person who answers the phone at city hall that you wouldn’t say to someone’s face, that’s just rude.

News from © iNFOnews, 2016