Snow Removal

Even before the latest snow started to fall, people around the region were getting frustrated at the efforts of local governments to clear the streets -- from Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller grousing about slip-sliding down Duke of Gloucester Street in Annapolis to Baltimoreans complaining that even main drags like Harford Road were still socked in. With the new storm dumping as much as 20 more inches on the ground, the anger is only going to...

Someone needs to tell Baltimore to stop dumping contaminated snow into the Chesapeake Bay. It only takes one drop of oil to contaminate a million gallons of saltwater. The bay cannot take all the gas and oil but also the drop in its salt content (salinity). Millions of creatures will die as a result of Baltimore's action. The city is being allowed to dump millions, maybe billions, of gallons of gas, oil, trash, and God only knows what else off of Pier 5 of the Inner Harbor, and they even show it on the news.

I live in Waverly on a side street that is certainly wide enough for a plow truck to come though. However, we have yet to be plowed since the blizzard, and everyone's cars are still stuck. I called 311 days ago and received a confirmation number; I have just put in a new request at 311 online and got a new confirmation number. My neighbors and I would get out and shovel the entire street, but there is just too much; furthermore, don't I pay property taxes for this kind of thing? I understand that it has been a terrible storm, and I have been told repeatedly by newscasters to "be patient," but this is getting ridiculous.

I live in Baltimore County, and the snow removal has been pretty good, but when I took my mother back to her house Tuesday, the snow removal at the city line was ridiculous. On Belair Road at Northern Parkway the road went from two lanes in the county to one lane in the city. My mother's block, the 4500 block of Parkwood Avenue, had yet to be plowed, and the people actually shoveled the street,, as in many neighborhoods, which allowed me to get to her house and out again. The area she lives in is a valley so any way out is up a hill.

Once again, we see evidence of the wide disparity between what American people expect their government to do for them and what they're prepared to pay for it. It is political suicide for a politician to even suggest a tax increase, and yet we all end up paying more in the long run because we refuse to pay for things up front. It's not the supposed snow plow masters in Boston that we really need to take a look at for how to manage a happy and healthy society ("Baltimore needs to get some advice on snow removal," Readers respond, Feb. 9)

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller hurled a verbal snowball at the city of Annapolis on Tuesday morning, criticizing what he called the municipality's "disgraceful" efforts to clear icy and slippery roads. Annapolitans, he said, "should have better treatment from their elected officials." "This is a high-end city," he said. "It is a very wealthy city. What was good in the 1700s is not acceptable." The weekend blizzard left snowdrifts in Annapolis that reached 33 inches, said a spokesman.

Southwest, Airtran cancel many Thursday flights Updated 6:13 p.m.: Southwest Airlines will cancel the majority of its flights at Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport for a second day, according to a BWI spokesperson. The cancellations for Thursday mean BWI's largest air carrier has not operated a normal schedule at the airport in nearly a week. Airport spokesperson Lynda Warehime said BWI is looking pretty good, all things considered. "It's very windy, but with the airlines having canceled the flights, it's a lot easier [snow removal]

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller hurled a verbal snowball at the city of Annapolis Tuesday morning, criticizing what he called the municipality's "disgraceful" efforts to clear icy and slippery roads. Annapolitians, he said, "should have better treatment from their elected officials." "This is a high-end city," he said. "It is a very wealthy city. What was good in the 1700s is not acceptable." The weekend blizzard left snow drifts in Annapolis that reached 33 inches, said a spokesman.

I live in the city (zip code 21206). My neighborhood is completely blocked in with no sign of help. Many of my neighbors and myself are unable to get to work. Our roads have not been plowed. We have many elderly residents that family members can't get to because of the roads. The county roads look great compared to the city. What's going on?!? I am originally from Boston and have seen my fair share of storms. The mayor needs to contact them because they know how to plan and execute snow removal.

Baltimore city dropped the ball for its citizens. If this is any indication of disaster preparedness, our city is done for. Please find out who is responsible for the abysmall snow removal in Baltimore City because that someone needs a new job. Kelley Geiger, Baltimore Send your comments to talkback@baltimoresun.com.