I’m not pleased with Kitchener council
rejecting the $3.8 M proposal to have city crews clear all walks. Increasing
the fines for property owners who fail to keep the side walks in front of their
homes and businesses clear of snow and ice is not a solution.  The fine will be just another cost of doing
business in Kitchener
for businesses and absentee property owners. 
It will be added to the price and rent they charge.  It will not get the sidewalks cleaned.  Who it really hurts are all the senior citizens
who live in their own homes and the disabled who will still face uncleared
sidewalks. Shovelling snow has already caused one death that I know of and I’ve
seen the difficulty a physically challenged student had getting to school after
the last big snow fall. I can’t help but note that the majority of councillors
are physical fit and not yet senior citizens. I urge them to reconsider; we
senior citizens are increasing in numbers and we vote. Mississauga
and Kingston to name but two Ontario cities have had citywide ploughing
of sidewalks for years.  Get with it Kitchener.