To be honest I have only had one person make a comment to me regarding snow removal so far in this campaign - with the exception of another candidate.

Our current snow removal budget is based upon a 5 year average.  Obviously in budget we try to determine what we believe snow removal will cost and that is the figure that goes into the budget.  If we have an unusually high snow fall and need to clear roads more often we take money from a reserve to offset the added cost.  We never have to stop clearing streets or ploughing because our budget has been spent.  For me the issue is not how our budget is set or the amount in the budget, but rather I think the issue, if there is one, may be in our policy and the level of service we have set for this particular service.  If we want streets cleared more often or windrows removed completely then we need to increase the snow removal budget.  I think, overall the city has done a fairly good job of arriving at a balance.  Are there problem areas from time to time? Yes, but we move to address those specific spots.  We live in a winter climate and slowing down a bit is okay with me.  I personally hate it when we go to all the expense of ploughing when it  would have melted away the next week.  To plough all the roads costs somewhere around $700-800,000 per plough - more if we want to remove the snow too.  $700 - 800,000 is roughly equivalent to a 1% tax increase.  We can improve the service and pay more or we can live with a little less service and pay less - the choice is ours.  Once again, the problem is not in the budget, but rather in the service level- if you think we have a problem at all.

The snow removal policy is on the city's website at www.reddeer.ca it lays out our current level of service and priorities in a snow fall event.

If you would like to share your concerns with me please call me at 403 302-3706 or email at cindyjefferies4rdcitycouncil@gmail.com

Many people in this great city have come here from somewhere else so we can compare snow removal here with elsewhere. In many parts of the country the snow is very heavy and wet and impossible to drive through and must be removed as their temperatures hover around freezing. Here our snow is drier and light and with our cold temperatures the snow doesn't melt until spring. In addition salt is ineffective here most of the year. I know that many communities similar size in warmer climates spend more than 5 times what we do on snow removal however they plow the snow to the side of the street, do not open pedestrian crossings, driveways and plow to both sides of the street. With our temperatures here if we did the same the snow would freeze into a massive ice pile and people would not be able to shovel the end of their driveways. In many ways we have better snow removal than other places we just do not do it often enough nor can we do it as quickly. If the public in general wants to spend more on snow removal then taxes will need to increase or budget cuts elsewhere will be necessary. I know this is an annual issue and Council and Administration has looked at this a dozen times. Ultimately I will do what the public wants, but I think the current policy satisfies the majority of the people.