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Some locals have fun in snow, others work during winter's show
By Jason Miller, The News-Dispatch
A worker from Wantland Lawn and Landscape works to remove snow from a sidewalk along Washington Street in front of Carlisle Funeral Home on Wednesday. Photo/Anthony Lambre
Wednesday was a day of digging out from underneath a foot of snow that fell on Michigan City Monday and Tuesday - at least for some people.
With school out, plenty of children were playing in the snow, building forts and snowmen.
For others, though, it meant back-breaking work with a shovel or pushing a snow-thrower back and forth across the driveway.
And after spending the past 18 hours or so keeping city streets clear, Street Department crews and city police were dealing with vehicles that hampered the clean-up effort.
“Police are busy today. We've been towing,” Michigan City Central Services Superintendent Jim Elwell said Wednesday. “They'll tow if the vehicle's in the way. We give notice. We try to do the right thing. We don't want to tow if we don't have to.
“But today it seems like we've had to.”
Vehicles are being towed if they're in violation of Phase 1 of the city's snow removal plan, which prohibits parking on designated snow routes,” and on the north and west sides of other city streets.
The plan was developed to make sure city plows were able to clear city streets without running into obstacles caused by vehicles parked on the street.
It's been in effect since 6 a.m. Wednesday and was to remain in effect until 6 this morning. The city planned to move into Phase 2 at 6 this morning, meaning a parking ban on all snow routes and on the south and east sides of all other city streets.
Assistant Michigan City Police Chief John Kintzele said Wednesday the city had towed four vehicles by 2 p.m.
“It's been a pretty successful operation so far,” he said.
During the two phases, police initially ask illegal parkers to move their vehicles by approaching homes and businesses. If that doesn't work, Elwell said, written warnings will be placed on the vehicle.
The city doesn't like to tow, Elwell added, but will if it has to.
“If no one can be reached and (the vehicle) is blocking the plows, then we have little choice,” Kintzele said. “In a situation like this, a warning wouldn't suffice because it's hobbling everyone else's right to have their street plowed.”
Mayor Chuck Oberlie said he received calls from Central Services employees seeking confirmation that a tow order was in effect.
“Our crews will continue to work 24 hours a day until all streets are cleared,” Oberlie said. “With the cooperation of all citizens, roadways can be kept open for everyone's convenience and safety.”
By Jason Miller, The News-Dispatch
A worker from Wantland Lawn and Landscape works to remove snow from a sidewalk along Washington Street in front of Carlisle Funeral Home on Wednesday. Photo/Anthony Lambre
Wednesday was a day of digging out from underneath a foot of snow that fell on Michigan City Monday and Tuesday - at least for some people.
With school out, plenty of children were playing in the snow, building forts and snowmen.
For others, though, it meant back-breaking work with a shovel or pushing a snow-thrower back and forth across the driveway.
And after spending the past 18 hours or so keeping city streets clear, Street Department crews and city police were dealing with vehicles that hampered the clean-up effort.
“Police are busy today. We've been towing,” Michigan City Central Services Superintendent Jim Elwell said Wednesday. “They'll tow if the vehicle's in the way. We give notice. We try to do the right thing. We don't want to tow if we don't have to.
“But today it seems like we've had to.”
Vehicles are being towed if they're in violation of Phase 1 of the city's snow removal plan, which prohibits parking on designated snow routes,” and on the north and west sides of other city streets.
The plan was developed to make sure city plows were able to clear city streets without running into obstacles caused by vehicles parked on the street.
It's been in effect since 6 a.m. Wednesday and was to remain in effect until 6 this morning. The city planned to move into Phase 2 at 6 this morning, meaning a parking ban on all snow routes and on the south and east sides of all other city streets.
Assistant Michigan City Police Chief John Kintzele said Wednesday the city had towed four vehicles by 2 p.m.
“It's been a pretty successful operation so far,” he said.
During the two phases, police initially ask illegal parkers to move their vehicles by approaching homes and businesses. If that doesn't work, Elwell said, written warnings will be placed on the vehicle.
The city doesn't like to tow, Elwell added, but will if it has to.
“If no one can be reached and (the vehicle) is blocking the plows, then we have little choice,” Kintzele said. “In a situation like this, a warning wouldn't suffice because it's hobbling everyone else's right to have their street plowed.”
Mayor Chuck Oberlie said he received calls from Central Services employees seeking confirmation that a tow order was in effect.
“Our crews will continue to work 24 hours a day until all streets are cleared,” Oberlie said. “With the cooperation of all citizens, roadways can be kept open for everyone's convenience and safety.”