On Dec 5, 2006, at 10:34 PM, Jon Gorder wrote:
> In other words: why oh why is this not a municipal service as it is
> in Minneapolis (both garbage and plowing) where it works very very
> well.
Some folks who live on blocks without alleys or live in buildings,
might not even be aware of this annual ritual for most of us. In case
anyone is unaware, the city of St. Paul does not plow alleys, its up
to residents to either plow their own alley or collectively hire
someone to do it.
Is there any requirement that alleys are plowed?
I have mixed feelings about this "self organization" method. Its NOT
like garbage, in that some degree of coordination is required. It
actually encourages neighborhood residents to communicate and
coordinate, even if not so well. In some cases, it MIGHT even
encourage someone on the block to take a leadership role, which might
translate to more than just alley plowing. To some extent, I think it
helps build "social capital" on a block.
Also, I'm guessing that many blocks are plowed by volunteers who
happen to have a truck and a plow - and love the excuse to use them.
Its NOT a bad thing to have some civic work performed by volunteers.
If the city did it, there would probably be an ordinance preventing
folks from plowing their own alley.
Here is how its done on our block.
We have an snow plowing coordinator (I just made up the name, its
VERY unofficial) who agrees to organize this every year. My wife and
I (mostly my wife) have been the coordinators for the last 3 years.
We're the 3rd household to take on the job in the last 14 years that
we've been on the block.
Every year, we simply distribute a flyer to every house on the block
asking for about $15.00 from each house towards plowing. This is a
little more than necessary, to help cover if a couple of houses don't
pay. Usually, someone (I used to do this every year) pays late and
includes an extra $5 (guilt money) to help cover any possible
shortfall. In my experience, we usually end up with about what we
need. I don't think that we've been short more than $30 or $40 in the
years that we have coordinated.
The money usually trickles into our mailbox from November to
February. If we were organized enough to send out a reminder, even
just once, I think that the speed and number of payments would increase.
We then hire someone to plow the alley for the year. The last guy who
organized alley plowing on our block worked with someone from his
church, who does an excellent job. We continue to hire him. As far as
I know, he is just some retired guy who does this to supplement his
income. I've NEVER met the guy, I just wake up every morning with
confidence that my alley will already be plowed. Usually, before the
city streets.
So, for me the system works pretty well.
How do you do it on your block?
Is it working?
Tim Erickson
Hamline Midway