Staunton clarifies sidewalk snow ordinance after Facebook complaints

STAUNTON – Staunton assured citizens that they would not be issued immediate citations for sidewalk snow removal difficulties following strong backlash to the city’s social media post on Jan. 26.

City Manager Leslie Beauregard announced the weekend snowstorm was officially over for the city at 8 a.m. Monday morning. Total snowfall was seven inches, determined based on public works reports from different parts of the city.

Under recently changed sidewalk snow removal policies, residents and businesses adjacent to sidewalks are given 24 hours to clear snow from sidewalks. Staunton confirmed that this was the case Facebook post He said Monday: “We know this is a big ask. This snow is heavy, full of sleet, and temperatures are dropping. It’s going to be a challenge. Please do your best. We’re prioritizing community collaboration over citations.”

Staunton residents are tired of snow plowing their sidewalks

A few hours later, the post had more than 300 comments. Many people were disappointed that the city required residents to clear the snow.

“I wholeheartedly support the City of Staunton almost 100%. But this request rubs me the wrong way,” Lynne Turner wrote. “Our roads remain untouched. If the roads are too dangerous and difficult for road crews, we certainly do not take our 70-year-old bodies out in these conditions to clear our pavements. In case of a fall, introduce the fine as it is cheaper than medical bills.”

“I made four passes on the pavement starting at 7:30 yesterday morning… but then I took a nap and more ice fell and my shovel couldn’t quite penetrate the ice anymore…” says one comment from Eric Coleman-Schallock.

A review from Words Matter Gift Shop reads: “There is a man outside our stores in Beverley trying to clear the ice and snow but it is almost impossible.” “He said the snow plows were moving too fast down the street and pushing the snow from the street to the sidewalks all the way to our windows!!!! so the city made it even harder for us to clear our store fronts!!!  And that’s just solid ice, so that’s not snow shoveling. That’s breaking ice and that there should be a 24 hour deadline on when this needs to be done or building and store owners are solely responsible.”

“This is not normal snow,” wrote Jonathan Eric Rumph. “We were out all day and barely made a dent in our driveway. Get help if you can. If not, go slow and don’t push yourself. I’ve been in the snow most of my life, including in Wyoming and Utah, and this time it sucks.”

Staunton responds to critical Facebook comments

Following the comments, Staunton Communications Director Josh Knight clarified that the city will not crack down on residents who have difficulty clearing sidewalks.

“The city understands that there are situations where shoveling is impossible right now. The purpose of this ordinance is not to make life harder for residents, but to keep people safe while walking. We don’t want to talk about people literally struggling to break apart a frozen plow set. Even some of our city equipment struggles with the amount of ice, so we really understand the challenge.”

Knight reiterated his original Facebook post acknowledging that removal would be a difficult task.

“We reiterate the ‘Do Your Best’ standard,” Knight wrote. “If you can do it with a shovel, please do it. If you are healthy and you see a neighbor struggling with a plow pile, please help him. And if you absolutely cannot do it safely, we understand. We will solve this problem together, not against each other.”

More: It was announced that schools will be closed on January 27

More: How much snow fell in Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta County?

Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is a public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? Welcome via email lbordelon@gannett.com. Subscribe to us haberleader.com.

This article first appeared in the Staunton News Leader: Staunton sidewalk snow regulations announced due to freezing snow