Too often we see "efficiency" required of government, meaning government spends more money than the writer thinks appropriate. We rarely see "effective" applied, meaning that the government did something with the desired results.
This morning's Duluth News Tribune's "Our View" used "efficiency" and "effective" in the same sentence with regard to a study to be commissioned to compare a few cities' expenses and services. It can be a difficult task because of several variables, like hilly and narrow vs. flat and compact. See "Our View: Collect data but get proper perspective, too".
While thinking about the article, I came up with a pair of simile's regarding automobiles. A car sitting in the garage is efficient but not effective. It doesn't use any fuel at all, but it is not taking anyone anywhere. A four-wheel drive vehicle plowing through snow is effective but it is very inefficient. It gets people to their destination but it uses a lot more fuel than it would normally.
Showing posts with label city government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label city government. Show all posts
Monday, January 28, 2013
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Snow removal done in the wrong order by the wrong people
The cities and counties clear the roads as fast as they can. In fact, because we want efficiency, they go so fast that packed snow gets thrown on the sidewalks. It is now the property owners responsibility to remove this snow within 24-48 hours.
Some property owners get out promptly, often after removing the natural snowfall. Some property owners are not strong enough to do it at all. And some property owners don't even think about shoveling snow or downright refuse to do so. "The city put it there; let them remove it."
Meanwhile, the poor pedestrian is left to slog through this mess, sometimes with threat to life and limb. Some pedestrians walk in the street, putting both themselves and drivers at risk. Oh yes, don't forget the brave or foolhardy runners who are out everyday no matter the conditions.
In the interest of energy conservation, maybe we should reverse the responsibility. The city should be responsible for clearing the sidewalks of snow, and the property owners should be responsible for clearing the streets of snow.
This would discourage people from driving and encourage more walking and bus ridership.
It would also reduce taxes. Less expensive equipment and operators would be needed to clear sidewalks than to clear roads.
Some property owners get out promptly, often after removing the natural snowfall. Some property owners are not strong enough to do it at all. And some property owners don't even think about shoveling snow or downright refuse to do so. "The city put it there; let them remove it."
Meanwhile, the poor pedestrian is left to slog through this mess, sometimes with threat to life and limb. Some pedestrians walk in the street, putting both themselves and drivers at risk. Oh yes, don't forget the brave or foolhardy runners who are out everyday no matter the conditions.
In the interest of energy conservation, maybe we should reverse the responsibility. The city should be responsible for clearing the sidewalks of snow, and the property owners should be responsible for clearing the streets of snow.
This would discourage people from driving and encourage more walking and bus ridership.
It would also reduce taxes. Less expensive equipment and operators would be needed to clear sidewalks than to clear roads.
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