After last night’s snow emergency was declared Ben Galliardo our man of many hats, (referring to his multitude of job titles and responsibilities) took to the streets and flyered cars in LMT neighborhoods. This was a one time courtesy and another example of our fantastic staff here in Lower Mac going above and beyond.
At the Jan 6th meeting I was sympathetic to those who showed up whose cars were towed during the Jan 2-3 emergency. Mostly because of the 400 dollar bill they rec’d. One household with two cars faced an 800 bill. If I got a hit with a 400 dollar bill out of nowhere it would certainly sting. I felt the rate charged by the towing company was exorbitant.
Last week our township manager negotiated a lower fee with the private company who does the towing. (Remember, the township doesn’t make a penny off towing cars) The result is a more appropriate pricetag with a little less sting.
On both accounts I think the township responded appropriately. That being said, I do not think the township has a responsibility to go any further in terms of notification. To talk about robo calls or text message alerts is overkill.
There is an issue of personal responsibility here. It is not the government’s job to hold your hand every time it snows. If you see it’s snowing outside and you park your car on a public road you then have the responsibility to find out if a snow emergency is declared. That’s on you. It’s part of the responsibility of owning a car and parking it on public streets in the winter.
When you see it’s snowing you can: Turn on the TV or a radio, go to the township website, facebook, twitter… You can pick up the phone and call the township. Call a neighbor. Call the PSP. We will make the information available in every reasonable way possible but the responsibility in the end falls to the resident.
Yes, we had issues. Part of it was we haven’t towed regularly in the last couple years. Remember, the twp. doesn’t seek to tow. Recent towing was the result of residents in neighborhoods asking us to do so. We have an ordinance on the books and residents asked us enforce it.
Oftentimes governments over-correct. Elected officials want to help people. At least the good ones do. When people come in front of us we want to make situations right. I know I do. We just have to careful not to get caught up in an issue and must remain measured in response.
Conversations about spending 20k+ on a robo call system would be an example of overkill. Residents have to take some personal responsibility here. 99% of township residents seemingly have no problem doing so.