Shoveling Snow

Since a resident called me about shoveling sidewalks, I might as well clarify for everyone:

A PV'er living along Mission Road inquired about the burden that was presented with the waist- to shoulder-high retaining wall on one side of the sidewalk and Mission road on the other. She thought she couldn't put snow out on the street and it seemed unreasonable to have to lift it over the retaining wall onto her yard. Also, it seemed to me as though there might be some possibility that the plows might push some snow up on the sidewalk as well; especially since that piece of Mission has no setback or greenbelt between the street and the sidewalk.

From public works: All residents are required to remove snow and ice from the sidewalk 24 hours from time storm ends. Plow drivers are asked to avoid pushing snow up on to the sidewalk as best they can but some always gets from the street onto the sidewalk. Snow need not be hoisted into the yard and can be put out into the curb, avoiding putting it in the traffic lanes.

From my perspective, it seems reasonable that, at least in this case, one could shovel a path as far away from the street as possible and wide as possible without having to move snow that was once in the street, thereby avoiding any snow pushed up there by the plows. By permitting homeowners to toss snow in the curb or gutter (where there's no greenbelt) instead of up into the yard I think there's a situation very comparable to that faced by a homeowner on a quieter street. If the entire walk has snow deepened by that which was removed from the street, take a picture or call Public Works or me and someone will come and have a look at it.

I'm sure no one with a sidewalk particularly enjoys this additional maintenance requirement but it really is important. I drive through PV and Mission Hills almost all the way to work every morning and the lack of clear sidewalks today was significant. When the sidewalks are snow-covered and the streets still have a little snow and ice, the diligent, determined walkers/joggers who have to walk in the street are really at risk. Like it or not, individual residents owe it to each other to keep pedestrians safe by keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice.

Those who find it physically challenging or insurmountable might find help from local scouts or their home association volunteer coordinator.

Parks and Rec Post OPEN

Anyone wishing to serve on one of the citiy's more prominent volunteer advisory committees AND is a Ward III resident may want to consider serving on the Park and Recreation Committee.

The Park & Recreation Committee recommends policies and guidelines to the City Council on issues related to the Prairie Village park system and the Prairie Village Swimming Pool Complex. I am an advocate of term limits on these committees but since we don't have them I'm glad there is an opening on one of the more active commitees.

If you want to know what serving on parks and Rec is like, let me know. I know a couple of residents who work hard and have done some really fabulous things as part of this important group.

You need to be available at least to attend meetings every second Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm. There are no particular qualifications but we typically have people with kids or with a strong interest or background in recreation/landscaping or something related.

If you live in Ward III and are interested, see the sidebar for the link to an application. Let me know if you want to submit an application and I'll contact the City administrator and Mayor to expect your response.

Prairie Village Website Updated

Our web designer has given the city website a face lift. As Chair of the Communications Committee, I hope you'll find the new look a little refreshing and the content you're looking for even easier to find. See the link for the site on the left sidebar of this blog.

Prairie Village Mentioned in USA Today

Trimming 'Christmas' from trees stirs debate
By Emily Bazar, USA TODAY
12/01/2005

In city halls and public parks across the country, stories-high evergreens are being erected and decked with glowing lights and sparkling ornaments.

They look — and smell — like Christmas trees. But not so fast.

In places as varied as Chicago, Reno and Prairie Village, Kan., they're "holiday" trees. In other spots, such as Atlanta, they have no name at all.

This year, the tree-name game has sparked a backlash, with some Americans crying humbug and Christian groups threatening lawsuits over what they say is religious discrimination.
Perhaps the most heated debate is brewing in Boston. The city's Parks and Recreation Department ignited a furor when it advertised the lighting of a "Holiday Tree," scheduled for tonight.

People complained, and the Nova Scotia logger who donated the spruce told newspapers he'd rather feed the tree to a wood chipper than call it that. Said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino: "I consider this tree to be a Christmas tree."

Mathew Staver, president of Liberty Counsel, a legal group that focuses on religious issues, said the mayor's use of "Christmas tree" means there's no need to go to court over the issue. His group's Christmas campaign aims to stop what it views as religious censorship and "political correctness run amok." It is endorsed by the Rev. Jerry Falwell.

"It's like calling a menorah a candlestick," Staver said. "It's wrong. It's offensive. And it disenfranchises a large segment of the community."

This week in Washington, D.C., the "Capitol Holiday Tree" was renamed the "Capitol Christmas Tree" at the request of House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill.

It was called a Christmas tree until the mid-1990s, Hastert spokesman Ron Bonjean said. "The Speaker thought it was important to reflect what Americans call their trees, which are Christmas trees," he said.

Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said using the term "Christmas tree" excludes people of other faiths and backgrounds.
"I certainly don't need spiritual sustenance from the government," he said. "I get that in my church."

Respect for diversity is the most common reason given by those that use the term "holiday tree." In the town of Fishers, Ind., officials advertise the annual "tree lighting ceremony," without using the words "Christmas" or "holiday."

"We want to be sensitive to all ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs," said Marc Steczyk, a town spokesman. "We're in the business of treating all people how they should be treated."