Is public land really public?

To the editor: Once again I read where some local governments are imposing heavy fines on property owners who fail to remove snow from public sidewalks. Since the citizens do not own them, it seems to me that forcing them to remove snow is a violation of our Constitutional rights. A Constitutional amendment prohibits involuntary servitude. If this isn't involuntary servitude, what is?

Any responsible homeowner should have enough consideration for others to shovel the walks, but forcing him to do so? Is this another freedom down the drain? If the politicos can compel one to work for them what else will they make us do? Perhaps they could assign citizens to wash police cars or work in the parks. Why doesn't some prominent attorney do a little pro bono (work) and check into it.

Come to think of it, the parkways are owned by the government and we have to take care of them, under penalty for not complying. Perhaps the citizens should bill the local politicos for taking care of public property. I'm sure someone will say, "But we own the public property." Hogwash. The "no trespassing" signs on public golf courses and government installations say otherwise.

Ken Kitzing

Mount Prospect