To the Editor,

Re: Residents reminded to clear snow from sidewalks, Nov. 20.

Someone is going to have to explain to me in clear language why I should be responsible to shovel several yards of city property.

During the warmer months of the year, should I decide to use the sidewalk in front of my house for my own purposes – say an ice cream stand, greenhouse or patio – I would be told in no uncertain terms that I had no right to use this property, belonging as it does to the City of Nanaimo. However, let one flake of snow drop and suddenly the whole area is my responsibility.

Now, I am a pensioner with a bad back. When the snow flies I may choose to stay home and wait a few days until the snow clears itself. If I don’t choose to shovel my driveway then why should I shovel someone else’s property?

What about young working parents? Surely the effort required before work to clear a driveway to get the car out to get to work, school or daycare is enough. Should they really be expected to clear public property too?

Jennifer DavidsonNanaimo