Mayor's Message -- March 2019

I have written a short message this month so that everyone will read and remember the importance of these safe requirements when it snows.

Please remember to clean your vehicle of any snow or ice when driving.  If not done it becomes a safety hazard (and a motor vehicle violation).  When the vehicle is moving the snow/ice blows off your vehicle and could hit a pedestrian.  The snow/ice could hit the windshield of a vehicle following.  There are cases that the snow/ice hitting the windshield has caused accidents and injuries to the occupants of the vehicle hit.  

It is important to shovel your sidewalks 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling.  Pedestrians are walking and if your sidewalk is not clear, a pedestrian may have to go into the roadway to walk where a vehicle might not see him/her.  Also, don't forget that if you have a hydrant in front of your house, kindly clear the snow away.  You certainly would want an accessible hydrant if a fire erupts.

We, in Oakland, are very fortunate to have such a hard working, outstanding and diligent DPW staff who work hard maintaining our roads from the snow.  But they cannot do it alone.  We all must work together.   

Be safe and remember: Spring is almost here.

Until next time, Linda

Linda H. Schwager, Mayor of Oakland