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Snow berms inhibit emergency response

I hesitate to complain about the Town of Stettler’s snow removal, because for the most part, they do a fairly good job.

Dear Editor:

I hesitate to complain about the Town of Stettler’s snow removal, because for the most part, they do a fairly good job.

In their haste to remove snow from the blizzard this last week, they have left piles of snow in the middle of streets in Grandview.

Mostly, this snow is only an inconvenience. If someone parks on the street, it’s nearly impossible to get past.

Because it is unmarked, I have seen vehicles run into the snow pile while turning left and do damage to their bumpers.

On Saturday evening, the danger of this snow pile became apparent, as our community watched fire trucks attempt to navigate the narrow lane the snow pile created.

As a house fire engulfed one house and threatened to take another, valuable seconds were wasted as the fire engines squeezed down 63 Street and past this Volkswagen-sized snow berm.

Watching one neighbour lose their house was horrifying, but we were all frozen in fear as the second house ignited.

Luckily, there were no cars parked on the street at the time and the fire truck got into the neighbourhood and saved the second house from further damage.

I know that snow-removal crews have been working hard to clear the streets of Stettler and I respect the fact that it’s hard work, especially when cold. We all have a goal to keep our community safe and, in this case, the snow-removal policy has proven to not be in the best interests of the people who need emergency services.

Teela Lynn,

Stettler