Uncleared sidewalks a serious safety issue

I am writing this letter wondering how to deal with the unsafe conditions on many of the sidewalks and streets in Naperville. I live about three blocks from the elementary school my children attend and am very concerned with the fact that many sidewalks have not been shoveled or plowed. As a result, people have to walk on the street just to go to school.

My initial frustration was with the homeowners who I see have plowed or shoveled their driveway and yet have not taken the extra time to clear their sidewalks. Although the more I thought about it, I started to wonder what the city of Naperville does about this. I know if I do not cut my grass, leave garbage outside, or park my car overnight on my street, I will get a warning or fine. Yet, nothing that I know of is done about the unsafe conditions of having people, especially kids and the elderly, walk on the streets.

I also noticed that the plows make the issue even worse by putting huge snow piles at the corners covering the sidewalks. So, basically, we have homeowner regulations covering the aesthetics of the neighborhood, but not the safety. This needs to be addressed by the town, especially on sidewalks in walking routes to schools and along high-traffic streets.

I would suggest that the city manage the snow removal even if it means billing the homeowners who do not shovel their sidewalks. I hope one positive result of this blizzard could be the city taking action on this. And I pray that it does not take a child being killed to get someone's attention. We must keep in mind that this is not a short-term issue. This snow will most likely be here for at least the next month.

Sonny M. Herman

Naperville