Speakers defend city snow removal

A McCook resident who sustained major damage to his business because of the recent snowfall came to the defense of the city's snow removal procedures.

Responding to some citizen complaints that the snow is not being removed efficiently, businessman Don Klein at Tuesday's night council meeting commended city workers who helped clear snow away from his business on West B when the roof partially collapsed because of the heavy snowfall. Cones were also placed on the highway to direct traffic away from the building.

He said most people don't understand the logistics of the situation.

"You'd have to have one square mile to put the snow," he said of the 15-inch accumulation. He said city crews have done an outstanding job and he appreciates the extra effort.

"I'm just here to say thank you," he concluded. The extent of the damage to his building is unclear at this point, he said later, with engineers still assessing the structure.

City Manager Kurt Fritsch addressed the snow removal efforts and said that city crews have been working 12-15 hour days since Friday. Crews were expected to resume work Tuesday night to remove the snow that has been piled in the middle of the streets.

Considering the number of vehicles and the workers available and the fact that this storm came on the heels of last week's ice storm, the city has kept up admirably, he said.

"As much snow as we've had, they've done an exemplary job," he said. " They've gone above and beyond their call."

"Too often all we hear is the squeaky wheel," added Mayor Dennis Berry, who also thanked the city workers."It's nice to hear the 'grease' once in a while."

Councilman Marty Conroy also addressed the city's response to the snow. As the former Public Works Director, he said is all too familiar with the situation and with 52 miles of streets, along with the multiple intersections, city crews have more than 100 miles to cover, not including the airport.

"They've done a good job," he said. "I'm sorry everyone doesn't see it the way we do."

Councilman Aaron Kircher pointed out that city crews were still in the process of cleaning up the hundreds of tree branches left in the wake of last week's ice storm when the city was hit with another winter storm.

"It's like you've had no break at all," he said, adding that whatever residents were worried about, the city was probably already taking care of it.

Council member Colleen Grant gave kudos to community citizens who have helped others during the recent storms.

"It was amazing to see," she said.

Potthoff agreed, adding that arrangements have already been made for an additional truck to help with snow removal on B street. He also said that he was appreciative of how law enforcement cleared off the streets for emergency vehicles to meet an air ambulance helicopter Sunday.