I wanted to follow up on the comments to my last post about ice dams. The Westfield News commented that melting snow creates water and then rapidly freezing temps cause ice dams. I beg to differ and ask that Westfield News dive deeper for the sake of your audience and not the advertisers that were opposite of the page of the last printing. I will give you a very simple example. Go look at your shed or one in your neighborhood. These are typically not heated and NEVER have ice dams. Why? The heat from the shed does not escape – because there is none, and does not create a problem. Your melting theory would have ice dams there as well. Please find out more about these things before printing what you think is real or what roofing companies will want you to think so they can make money on the already strapped consumer of Westfield. Building Science is real and can save a TON OF MONEY! Stop the heat from escaping and you will STOP THE ICE DAMS! I hope you print this.
As a follow up to tonight’s (February 20) front-page article relative to the mounting issue of snow removal, the City of Westfield, at best, has failed to do an adequate job; and, at worst, has put public safety at risk. Shame on them. Consider the following: The article contained a photograph of a pedestrian walking in a travel lane around the Green because the sidewalks surrounding it are unplowed days after the storm. Unacceptable. This is not, however, an unusual occurrence. One has only to drive down many of the City’s main roads (Elm Street, East Main Street, Court Street, Broad Street) and find similar situations of pedestrians walking in the roadway because sidewalks are impassable to them. Either the City needs to maintain them so the safety of both pedestrians and motorists are protected, or it ought to begin enforcing the rule for businesses and private homeowners to maintain the sidewalk, and fines for failure to do so. Offered for your further consideration: One has only to attempt to navigate a right-hand turn from Main Street onto Elm Street (by Leo’s and the hair salon) and find cars parked in what is actually the right-hand travel lane. The City (or perhaps the BID?) have done such an inadequate job of plowing and/or snow removal that it again puts pedestrians and motorists in harms way. Here again, this is not a once in a winter season occurrence. The lack of well maintained, cleared roadways has been an ongoing issue in the City of Westfield for long, long time and it is time for people to be held accountable. As someone who has worked in the non profit and corporate world, I can assure you most businesses and organizations have job requirements and metrics for accountability, which when not met, determine an employees continued employment status. Unfortunately, it appears City government is exempt from this practice and as taxpayers it is time we begin to demand a shift in thinking and practice. Mr. Mayor, you have said over and over again you believe in transparency; but, do you also believe in holding people accountable?
I’m hoping the high school gives out the kids report cards after vacation! Seniors need them for scholarship applications!! Thank-You!
