As snowfall continues to taper off, people should remember to clear their sidewalks in a timely manner.
City code requires that the owner and occupant with property abutting any sidewalks will remove all snow and ice within five hours after the snow has fallen, or within five hours after sunrise if snow or ice falls during the night.
The owner and occupant must keep the surface of such sidewalks free from dirt, mud and all other obstructions at all times. Violations of the code can result in a fine.
This section of the code is provided for the safety of all citizens as they walk to various locations around the city. In addition to the requirement by city code, there may be a liability issue if someone falls and is injured as a result of failure to clear the sidewalks of snow and ice.
There were several power outages in Emporia on Monday. A telephone pole caught on fire late Monday evening causing power outages in the city of Emporia. That was one of three calls Emporia firefighters responded to late Monday and early Tuesday though damage was minimal in all incidents.
The telephone pole caught on fire in the 1800 block of Highland Street at 10:44 p.m. Monday. Crews were able to put it out, but it produced some power outages in different sections of Emporia even before the snow arrived in town.
Westar Energy said at about 11:15 p.m. Monday it lost two circuits that provide power to the substation that feeds Emporia State University, causing an outage that went from 11:15 p.m. to 12:35 a.m. Tuesday.
Related to that incident, Westar then had six outages in north-central Emporia that ranged from 2.5 hours to 6 hours.
Gina Penzip, manager of corporate communications for Westar, said about 1,900 Westar customers were affected by the outages.
lena (Lena Bass) says...
what about the streets? and what do you do., when you are elderly and disabled and can not just jump out there with the wind-chills so far below zero? I guess that is not important.
February 2, 2011 at 10:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Guessler (anonymous) says...
Here we go again, so every time we get a snowstorm are they going to post this? With no school we have to take care of the kids not the sidewalks, wiith these temperatures nobody is walking on the streets.
February 2, 2011 at 12:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthinkin (anonymous) says...
thanks - Gazette - for stirring up this kettle of fish, again - I don't see that this is a statement issued by the City, so I can only assume you are just trying to keep your bloggers in an uproar. And, all along, I thought you encouraged people to be positive, not negative.
February 2, 2011 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marko (anonymous) says...
shoveled, and the neighbor's too...main travel streets look better than i have ever seen them day after a snow
February 2, 2011 at 12:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
educ8r (anonymous) says...
I was out this morning and was impressed with how well the city had cleared the main roads and a few side streets. Also... I appreciated the fact they didn't plow the entrances to the side streets shut this time. Thank you City of Emporia... I know some of you came in and started last night.
February 2, 2011 at 1:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
MIne are done too. The man who trims my trees has me on his list and he was here early this morning. Bless him.
February 2, 2011 at 2:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
The editors would never admit it, but I think they enjoy stirring the pot and causing an uproar on their website.
February 2, 2011 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
We tried to call to ask who enforces the sidewalk snow clearing laws but the city referred us to the police who referred us to the city. No one is taking ownership for enforcement - though I'm not trying to get anyone in trouble. It's just another dead end.
February 2, 2011 at 2:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marko (anonymous) says...
as long as I have lived on this street I have never seen a snowplow on it.....AMAZING there goes one now.
February 2, 2011 at 3 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
My boyfriend's working and my back is jacked up...
So freaking fine me.
February 2, 2011 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gold66801 (anonymous) says...
HEY GUESSLER HOW ABOUT THE POST MAN DUMB ASS CLEAN YOUR SIDE WALKS
February 2, 2011 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flyboy32 (anonymous) says...
If bellyaching was a course of study, you all would have a Ph.D. (piled high and deep!) I called the police department and the lady referred me to code enforcement and even transferred the call. It took a minute for the transfer but there was no hesitation. This was about 8:00 a.m. Could it be, railroadhorn, that your name here better represents your attitude when calling and maybe you weren't patient enough to give them time to get you to the right person. Maybe it was easier to hang up than give them a chance to find out for you? Easier to be ignorant and B___h than to hear the truth?
Hell the county didn't even bother to open their offices today. At least give the city credit for trying to be proactive for a change.
February 2, 2011 at 4:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
The city crew did a great job on the streets. But we all know why they were sent out:) Not many jobs out there and the city manager is gettting nervous
February 2, 2011 at 5:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Yes booker5m, I was pleasantly surprised at how well Emporia's streets were cleared of snow and ice as I entered town this morning. Awesome job indeed!
February 2, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mds (anonymous) says...
I must say that the streets and even allot of side streets look the best I've seen in a long time. As for sidewalks I don't have any on my side of the street but I did clear mine and my neighbors driveways.
February 2, 2011 at 6:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
I heard on the news that Topeka's ordinance is 12 hours to remove snow from sidewalks.
More reasonable!
February 2, 2011 at 6:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ThunderFingers (anonymous) says...
What if my neighbor clears his pathway, and the entire street, and blocks every single driveway, and buries every single street-parked car under a 3-foot berm of snow? Can I organize a class action lawsuit for trapping me in my house until all this melts? If so, Roberts Blue Barnett funeral home will owe the entire 600 block of state street for lost wages and emotional distress.
February 3, 2011 at 3:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt (anonymous) says...
Everytime you turn around some blockhead wants to sue. Just another blockhead looking for a handout.
February 3, 2011 at 5:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Considering the amount of snow that fell I have to tip my ball cap to the city employees removing the snow. Watched them last night while outside the bar, smoking, and it was very well choreographed. Way to go Munch ! I also noticed better snow removal all over town.
All in all I think the city workers have done a great job the last 3 days.
February 3, 2011 at 7:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
My street was bladed this morning!!! Wow. They did a great job, and even got around the parked cars. Impressive.
Good job, city crews!!!
February 3, 2011 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Quack (anonymous) says...
ThunderFingers;
That was the City of Emporia that did that idiot, just like they do to everyone, everywhere in town. Pay attention and go try to sue the City Street Department if you don't like it. BTW, was that your girlfriend digging you out?
February 3, 2011 at 2:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )