Call 911, not me, during next blizzard: St. John's mayor
Last Updated: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 | 11:03 AM NT
CBC Newshttp://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2007/02/27/wells-911.html
The mayor of St. John's says sick residents and health professionals are wasting their time by appealing to city hall for help during a blizzard.
Andy Wells told Monday evening's council meeting that only 911 should be called during weather-related emergencies.
St. John's Mayor Andy Wells said it would be wrong to make snowclearing decisions from the mayor's office.
(CBC)
Two patients and two physicians called Wells for snowclearing help during last week's blizzard, which immobilized the city for more than a day and made movement on some city streets impossible.
"I do not have the authority to interfere in snowclearing operations, and even if I did have the authority, what kind of anarchy would reign if it's up to the mayor to decide who gets consideration and who doesn't?" Wells told fellow councillors.
"Call 911, and if 911 considers it an emergency, the streets will be cleared probably before the emergency vehicle arrives."
Wells said there is no way for him or city staff to tell which calls are legitimate.
Meanwhile, Wells told the meeting he takes exception to criticism he has received that city snowclearing crews are indifferent to the needs of citizens.
He said turning over decisions on snowclearing ― particularly which streets are cleared first ― to politicians would lead to abuse.
City hall, meanwhile, said it may take another two weeks before all streets in the city are fully widened. Two-way traffic remains difficult on many sidestreets because of high drifting during last week's blizzard and most sidewalks are unsuitable for pedestrians.
Last Updated: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 | 11:03 AM NT
CBC Newshttp://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2007/02/27/wells-911.html
The mayor of St. John's says sick residents and health professionals are wasting their time by appealing to city hall for help during a blizzard.
Andy Wells told Monday evening's council meeting that only 911 should be called during weather-related emergencies.
St. John's Mayor Andy Wells said it would be wrong to make snowclearing decisions from the mayor's office.
(CBC)
Two patients and two physicians called Wells for snowclearing help during last week's blizzard, which immobilized the city for more than a day and made movement on some city streets impossible.
"I do not have the authority to interfere in snowclearing operations, and even if I did have the authority, what kind of anarchy would reign if it's up to the mayor to decide who gets consideration and who doesn't?" Wells told fellow councillors.
"Call 911, and if 911 considers it an emergency, the streets will be cleared probably before the emergency vehicle arrives."
Wells said there is no way for him or city staff to tell which calls are legitimate.
Meanwhile, Wells told the meeting he takes exception to criticism he has received that city snowclearing crews are indifferent to the needs of citizens.
He said turning over decisions on snowclearing ― particularly which streets are cleared first ― to politicians would lead to abuse.
City hall, meanwhile, said it may take another two weeks before all streets in the city are fully widened. Two-way traffic remains difficult on many sidestreets because of high drifting during last week's blizzard and most sidewalks are unsuitable for pedestrians.
