| Author |
Message |
    
Maplemom
Citizen
Username: Maplemom
Post Number: 86
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 7:22 am: |     |
I agree, I think it's nicer to do the neighbor's walk; we do it, as our neighbors have for us. The blower makes it easy, we almost feel bad if we don't go over all of our front walks while we're out there, but I can imagine shoveling for a few hours would be difficult as a regular favor.
I think who ever phoned in my friend was heartless. She is fairly sure of who it was, the 'grouchy' guy on the street. It's good to know there is a system though, for those who won't do it and are in a heavy traffic street... like the house mentioned above where kids have to break a neck trying to get to school or commuters to work. If someone has knocked on their door and neighbors have talked to them, what then? And, you guys sound like nice neighbors, which we try to be. But not everyone feels that sense of community...many people don't even know their neighbors.
As far as the people who are physically unable due to age etc, too bad we don't have a community fund or service...sort of like places that have financial assistance with heating costs.
Looking at piles of snow is daunting for me now in my 'youth', I can't imagine facing it when I'm much older and more tired...I'll try to head for Florida!! |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 361
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 7:41 am: | |
Like kathy, we live nearer to Irvington. We now seem to have a human "snowblower." This fellow has come around every morning that it's snowed and asked for the work. The first time, I was so grateful I invited him in for tissues and cocoa. That seemed to seal the deal.
HEY! They just showed up! $30 for the front walk, sidewalk, base of the driveway, etc. For me, beats finding a service or do it yourself. I'm strong, but my husband's in the hospital.... |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 4467
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 7:46 am: | |
How many of you shoveled before heading off to work this morning? 
Shame, shame, shame on you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 1863
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 7:55 am: | |
 good thing I don't need to use this tactic anymore. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 363
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 8:00 am: | |
If any of you live around Midland, Elberta, Warren, Parker and see 2 young African American (one in a bright orange jacket) guys with shovels, they are the "fabulous" Baker brothers -- and they shovel well, thoroughly and politely. |
barbara wilhelm
Citizen
Username: Bartist
Post Number: 128
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 8:09 am: | |
There is an older gentleman around the corner from me. He is bent over and looks like a crooked stick but he keeps his driveway and sidewalks clear. He removes about two shovels full at a time and then takes a break. It takes him forever but he gets it done. Puts a lot of Maplewoodians to shame. |
clkelley
Citizen
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 69
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 8:24 am: | |
barbara, why don't you or your other neighbors give him a hand? Sounds like he could really use one. I'd hate to hear that he fell and broke his hip, or had a heart attack - as a former gerontologist, I worry about these things. I'd really rather see people like this take care of themselves, rather than take care of the rest of the world. I certainly do NOT want my mom & dad shoveling snow - both had open-heart surgery not so long ago. Thankfully, they have a really small patch of property and neighbors more than willing to help out. (they live in Phila., so I can't really help them.)
bobk - too late!! Looks like I'm making cookies today, as my wonderful next-door neighbor just finished snow-blowing my sidewalk AND driveway. May I say it again? Neighbors like that are worth their weight in gold. They are certainly worth a nice warm plate of chocolate chip cookies. 
|
JJC
Citizen
Username: Mercury
Post Number: 188
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 8:38 am: | |
OK was up at 5:45am to shovel my 100' of sidewalk and 50' of driveway before catching the train. Snow was light (weight). No excuses, poodles. |
blackcat
Citizen
Username: Blackcat
Post Number: 154
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 9:08 am: | |
Took care of all of it at 6am. Going back for a touch-up soon...Very light. |
Deb G
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 765
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 10:05 am: | |
Wow! I am impressed. Don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I could really use help shoveling out my driveway -- it's about 90 feet long, flat and 1 1/2 to 2 cars wide. I will be glad to pay. Please PL me if you know anyone who can help! Many thanks. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 4471
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 10:10 am: | |
One of my co-workers, not from SOM, was cursing out the #$&@# who was running his snowthrower at 6:00am. To me 6:00am in the middle of the day, but I realize for some it is still sleepy time. |
sac
Citizen
Username: Sac
Post Number: 910
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 10:48 am: | |
I decided to wait until around 8:30 to fire up the snowblower, but I know that some don't have that option. People who expect their neighbors to do their duty promptly, probably need to accept early morning snowblowing on workdays. Waiting worked out well for me because my neighbor, who shares (most of) the driveway with us and usually gets the benefit of our snow clearing efforts, came out and offered to do it for me. So, he got to use our snowblower on his walks as well as the driveway and I got out of doing almost all of it. Definitely a win-win! |
gj1
Citizen
Username: Gj1
Post Number: 17
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 11:11 am: | |
To me it makes it much easier if you shovel periodically while the snow is falling rather than waiting for the snow to completely stop. I try to get out every 3-4 inches. Of course you have to be home to do this.
I cleared a couple inches last night around 10 and this morning was easy. There were just a few more inches to clean up before heading off to work. Only about 20 minutes each time and not too much effort. |
barbara wilhelm
Citizen
Username: Bartist
Post Number: 129
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 12:30 pm: | |
clkelly,
I clear my propriety and my neighbors (corner lot and she is over 65 years old) I just got in form being outside for 2 hours plus. The man that I was talking about is near Maplecrest Park which is really three blocks away from me. If he was closer I would lend a hand. Try to help neighbors who need it if you can. |
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 869
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 12:51 pm: | |
I fired up the snowblower at around 7:15 this morning. Finished my long driveway, sidewalks and front stoop then three of my neighbors before having to call it quits to take my son to the Dr. At first I was a little concerned because of the time, but my wife had to go to work and I figured that the neighbors wouldn't mind as it doesn't happen everyday. |
clkelley
Citizen
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 70
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 3:12 pm: | |
That's great, barbara. I wish there was more of that community spirit, rather than simply just whining or blaming people for things that may really be out of their control. Or even worse, calling the cops on them.
What is bothering me is people who WON'T help but persist in insisting that their neighbors are lazy bums, rather than finding out the truth or lending a hand. You can't help everybody, but if all who can help just one neighbor would do so, there wouldn't be any need for this discussion.
I have been on the receiving end of such help many times, and I really appreciate it - just finished my choc. chip cookies to bring next door. |
Ukealalio
Citizen
Username: Ukealalio
Post Number: 396
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 5:08 pm: | |
I'd give anyone a break 1 or two times . I would (and have) helped out and shovelled others walkways. I am sick of the costant offenders on Maplewood Ave however and would hope they get ticketed or warned. Enough is enough!!!. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 367
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 7:35 pm: | |
Especially if they have perfect windows!! |
TomR
Citizen
Username: Tomr
Post Number: 85
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 12:03 pm: | |
Tom Reingold,
Thanks for the reminder about findlaw. I think I have found the answer to my querry. It looks like no liability, at least as of 2002.
Now I just have to find whether a homeowner has liability if they DO shovel the sidewalk adjacent to their property.
Thanks again,
TomR. |
Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 1915
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 12:06 pm: | |
TomR, why are you so concerned?
It does appear, from the articles I found, that a town is less liable than a business. I didn't find much on liability of private citizens.
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
There is nothing
|
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 4486
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 12:14 pm: | |
My first job outa college was as a claims adjustor for a major insurance company. At that time we were taught that a homeowner could not be held liable for not shoveling their sidewalk. If someone slipped and fell because the snow was viewed as "an act of God". However, if a homeowner did a poor job of shoveling (leaving icy patches, piling snow so it dripped back on the walk and then froze up, etc.) he could be held liable for negligence. I don't know what the story on this is today, but I sure know we denied a lot of claims!!
Ashear, Nohero, care to comment? |
TomR
Citizen
Username: Tomr
Post Number: 86
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 12:28 pm: | |
Tom Reingold,
Not concerned at all. Questions occur to me and I like to find the answers.
The general rule in most States is as bobk described. If I find what the rule is in New Jersey, I'll let everybody know.
TomR. |
xavier67
Citizen
Username: Xavier67
Post Number: 334
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 4:20 pm: | |
I'm sorry, but am I the only person who thinks 5:45AM is too early to be using a snowblower? |
tjohn
Citizen
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 2149
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 4:51 pm: | |
If I did not have the option of being late to work on Wednesday, I would have had my snow thrower out at 0545 hrs, right after I finished milking the cows.
Also, during the winter, I sleep with the windows closed, so in the unlikely event that one of my neighbors borrowed my snow thrower at 0545 hrs, I doubt that I would notice. |
jmfromsouthorange
Citizen
Username: Jmfromsorange
Post Number: 19
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 3:06 pm: | |
makes you almost want to make you NOT shovel your walk! i wonder if this varies from insurance company to insurance company. a friend of mine fell on someone's walk years ago, breaking a leg. the homeowner was one of those who refused to shovel their walk, though they were very capable. against very loud protests, she put a claim through the person's homeowners insurance. many of neighbors were happy when these people moved several years later.
>>>>>
bobk
Citizen
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 4486
Registered: 5-2001
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 12:14 pm:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My first job outa college was as a claims adjustor for a major insurance company. At that time we were taught that a homeowner could not be held liable for not shoveling their sidewalk. If someone slipped and fell because the snow was viewed as "an act of God". However, if a homeowner did a poor job of shoveling (leaving icy patches, piling snow so it dripped back on the walk and then froze up, etc.) he could be held liable for negligence. I don't know what the story on this is today, but I sure know we denied a lot of claims!!
Ashear, Nohero, care to comment? |
jmfromsouthorange
Citizen
Username: Jmfromsorange
Post Number: 20
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 3:10 pm: | |
on a work day? no! especially if kids use the sidewalk to get to school and others use it to get to work we considered it ourselves, but waited because the schools were closed.
>>>>>
xavier67
Citizen
Username: Xavier67
Post Number: 334
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 4:20 pm:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm sorry, but am I the only person who thinks 5:45AM is too early to be using a snowblower |
jmfromsouthorange
Citizen
Username: Jmfromsorange
Post Number: 21
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 3:12 pm: | |
better get ready because we're due another snow storm tuesday night! |
Duncan
Citizen
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 1493
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 4:15 pm: | |
Tjohn.. I want your windows if they can block out snowblower noise!!!
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"
Wayne Gretzky |
tjohn
Citizen
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 2163
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 4:28 pm: | |
Well, maybe they don't block the noise. My neighbors don't usually borrow my snow thrower until I am done with it, so I can't say for sure if they block the noise. In any case, my windows are so cheap that I wouldn't give them to my dog and you are welcome to them when I get around to replacing them. |
Ukealalio
Citizen
Username: Ukealalio
Post Number: 400
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 7:20 pm: | |
The word must be gettin round. The usual suspects on Maplewood Ave, had clean walks. Wonder if it was MOL pressure or warnings from the Police ?. |
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