To the editor:

Having moved here from Northern New Jersey a few years ago, there are many things I am happy to leave behind. That includes aggressive driving, air pollution and poor bus service (yes, far worse than here.) There are a few things I want to bring with me like good pizza and efficient snow and ice clearing. The recent December snowstorms left my spouse and me virtually housebound for a week - and that was not necessary. Rather than curse the imposed marathon of Lost and Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes, I have some usable snow and ice management ideas to bring to the table.

To individual home owners (and others responsible for snow removal)

We rent a house, but the arrangement with my landlord is that I am responsible for yard maintenance and snow clearing. For the most part I'm enjoying those responsibilities as a simple way to reconnect with nature. Keeping sidewalks and alleys safe does not have to be in conflict with nature. Here are some essential supplies to have on-hand for these unusual days:

- One or two snow shovels (snow thrower/blower not needed unless you have a lot of area to clear.)

- Water resistant winter boots and layers for the rest of your body.

- A bag of sand AND a bag of salt/calcium chloride.

You may not need these items for a few years, but it's your responsibility to be prepared under Seattle law (more on that later.)

As for that controversial use of salt, I am not suggesting dropping lots of salt every time it snows. For the more typical snowfall that rinses away in a day or two, sand or ashes will help (although there's the new research suggesting environmental issues with the use of sand on roads.) But when snow is followed by prolonged sub-freezing temperatures, salt or calcium chloride is the ONLY way to make pavement safe again. I will not prevent minor water pollution over preventing severe injuries to my family and neighbors.

When the snowfall stops, shovel as soon as practical afterward. It may take some extra effort where it's already packed down, but it'll make your life easier - and everyone else's. After clearing as much as you can, add sand if temperatures will remain above freezing, add salt if temps will go below freezing (a little on wet pavement, a lot on remaining ice.) Don't forget any alleys behind your house. Also clearing all snow off your car is very important because hardened snow and ice can fly off and become a lethal projectile.

Also, make sure to clear storm drains, especially when melting is expected. Don't expect the City of Seattle to clear them for you. Do contact them if a drain is clogged below street level.

Seattle law says property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks along their property "in a timely manner" (SMC 15.48.010.) Most sidewalks were not cleared in West Seattle through the December snowstorms. Mine were cleared almost the entire time during those storms. I chose to live in West Seattle because people here are great neighbors. I was living up to that standard, and I hope that more of you will be better prepared to do so if this happens in the future.

To the Seattle Department of Transportation

If you read above, I and my neighbors are willing to assume our responsibility by clearing sidewalks and go further by clearing storm drains. When the City did not clear most roads for anyone except chained vehicles, it did not meet its responsibility to its citizens and workers. I have not yet heard any numbers, but no doubt the loss of productivity was staggering in December. Retail establishments almost certainly suffered terrible losses at the worst possible time. There

were dozens of accidents and injuries. Buses struggled to operate on 3rd Avenue downtown - it goes without saying how serious that is. The City can't afford NOT to improve its contingency plans.

As with individuals, plowing must be done shortly after a significant snowfall ends (i.e. more than an inch.) If not all arterials can be plowed at least once within 12 hours, then more snowplows are a must. One solution that worked on the East coast was the contracting of individual snowplow operators for extraordinary snow events. Another option is to enlist the help of citizens willing to shovel crosswalks and side streets, if possible for a small fee.

Again, salt should not be used for the more typical 1 or 2 inch snowfalls that melt in a day, that would be an unnecessary environmental cost. But sand and liquid de-icer have proven completely ineffective on compacted snow and ice. Use of salt in severe road conditions prevents more serious environmental costs including spinning and stuck vehicles spewing extra exhaust, as well as vehicle damage and subsequent environmentally destructive vehicle disposal or repairs. Finally, based on my 20 years of East coast driving, cars that drive on salt do not rapidly disintegrate. Typically, one extra major exhaust repair becomes necessary in the lifetime of the car (after 5-7 years.) That still beats a car being totalled because of an ice-related crash. Grass does not turn brown unless you dump a lot of salt directly on the grass - I've made that mistake before and my parents were not happy!

So please use these ideas and hopefully some others you received (I hope that among the many complaints was useful information.) Any contingency plan may sit on the shelf for a few years, but will save a lot of headaches when this happens in the future.

work smarter and not harder.

Philip Mariconda

West Seattle