The City's response to this recent snowstorm is a fine example of government failure. It stopped snowing about noon on Saturday. The City has had over three days to conduct clean up and they aren't even close to being done. Menino was on the news Friday making noise about 600 pieces of snow removal equipment on the street. Two questions Mr. Mayor - where were they and what were they doing? Yesterday you called for a review of snow removal operations. Here is some advice, look in the mirror; that's where the failure begins.
If I were mayor, I would do two things immediately; First, fire DPW Commissioner Joanne Massaro. Her department failed miserably. The blame doesn't lie with the contractors, DPW employees or managers; it lies with Massaro and her inabilty to account for the actions of those responsible for snow removal, second, immediately resign as Mayor of Boston. Ultimately, it all lands on you. YOU are no longer the Urban Mechanic. YOU have become the Egomaniac. It is not about YOU, it's about the residents of the City, and you have failed us. YOU told us not to drive, we didn't. YOU enacted a snow emergency and parking ban, we complied. We did our part - YOU did not, YOU failed!
Boston Public Schools were open today. As I walked my 5 year old to school we encountered crosswalks blocked by huge piles of snow, forcing us to walk on the street in traffic until we could find a safe way back to the sidewalk. She had to walk on a packed snow path around a corner to get to a safe place to cross a street. The sidewalks around the school, except for the front of the building, were unshoveled. This is not the fault of the custodians, there was far too much snow piled up to use shovels or snowblowers, heavy construction equipment will be needed. I watched at least three people slip and fall in the area of the school this morning. This is unacceptable. While I agree that education and having our children in school is important, their safety should come first.
Save the City's time and money and cancel any review of how the City failed in the aftermath of the storm. Look deep inside, that is the best place for you to start.